Western United ALM Team News: Round 15 vs Sydney FC

Western United will receive a big boost ahead of its Round 15 Isuzu UTE A-League Men clash against Sydney FC with John Aloisi welcoming three first-team players back into his extended squad.

Nikita Rukavytsya, Sebastian Pasquali and James Donachie have all progressed in their injury recoveries and are part of the 20-man squad for United’s trip to Hobart.

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Rukavytsya made five straight appearances across November and December before picking up a calf injury which has sidelined him for almost two months.

The Socceroos attacker has been back in training and has immediately shown his sharpness ahead of a return to match action, which he will hope will come this weekend.

Pasquali was enjoying the most consistent run of appearances as a Western United player, starting consecutive matches before succumbing to a foot injury in late December.

The 24-year-old has missed the last five matches but will hope to pick back up where he had left off after impressing in midfield for Aloisi’s side.

Donachie, meanwhile, is drawing ever closer to his Western United debut and could make it against his former side this weekend.

The centre-back started all three of Western United’s Australia Cup matches in the off-season but is yet to feature in league action after pulling up with a calf complaint a week before the season opener.

Alongside those returns, Aloisi continues to stick with the young players that have stood out when given opportunities in recent weeks.

Matthew Grimaldi has played in every match since Round 4 and will hope to keep that run going, while James York and Zach Lisolajski will both still be on a high after making their professional debuts last week.

Young striker Jake Najdovski also featured off the bench against Western Sydney Wanderers last time out, while Kane Vidmar will be eying a fifth start of the campaign.

Full Western United extended squad

Western United squad: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 4. James DONACHIE, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 8. Lachie WALES, 9. Michael RUHS, 11. Daniel PENHA, 13. Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Josh RISDON, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 24. Connor O’TOOLE, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (gk), 34. James YORK, 36. Zach LISOLAJSKI, 38. Noah BOTIC, 39. Matthew GRIMALDI, 49. Jake NAJDOVSKI

Ins: 4. James DONACHIE (returns from injury), 13. Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (returns from injury), 21. Sebastian PASQUALI (returns from injury)

Outs: 10. Steven LUSTICA (injured)

Unavailable: 77. Riku DANZAKI (injured)