Matt Sutton could make his Western United debut on Friday night when the Green and Black face Brisbane Roar in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men.
The 23-year-old has been a substitute in each of United’s games so far but could be given the chance to take to the pitch in Round 18.
Tom Heward-Belle has been ruled out of the fixture with a finger injury and while he is expected to return for next week’s home game against Perth Glory, it opens the door for Sutton to feature.
Opportunity also knocks for Michael Vonja, with the 18-year-old included in a first-team extended squad for the first time in his young career.
Those two keepers are part of a 20-man extended squad that features five new inclusions with John Aloisi set to receive a personnel boost.
Josh Risdon served his one-game suspension and is available again and Sebastian Pasquali is back in contention after being rested during United’s defeat to Melbourne Victory on Tuesday night.
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The biggest inclusion is that of Riku Danzaki, with the Japanese winger poised to make his first appearance of 2024 against his former side.
The 23-year-old has missed seven straight matches after requiring shoulder surgery following a collision during United’s game loss to Newcastle Jets at the end of December.
Daniel Penha is included in the 20-man squad and will be given every opportunity to feature after he exited the game with an ankle injury on Tuesday night.
The Brazilian will hope to prove his fitness in order to continue his stunning run of form with four goals in his last six games.
Ben Garuccio is in a similar position after being included in the provisional squad but falling just short of matchday selection on Tuesday.
The left-back is recovering from a hamstring injury and will be eager to make his return to the pitch.
Debutant Khoder Kaddour was fantastic at left-back against Victory and keeps his place in the extended squad, as does Charbel Shamoon who was equally impressive on the opposite side of the defence.
Fellow Western United Academy youngster Luke Vickery is also in the 20-man squad, while James York and Zach Lisolajski will remain in Melbourne to play for Diogo Ferreira’s VPL 1 Men’s side against Preston Lions on Friday night.
Full Western United extended squad
Western United squad: 6. Tomoki IMAI, 8. Lachie WALES, 9. Michael RUHS, 10. Steven LUSTICA, 11. Daniel PENHA, 13. Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Josh RISDON, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 29. Charbel SHAMOON, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (gk), 37. Luke VICKERY, 38. Noah BOTIC, 39. Matthew GRIMALDI, 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 43. Khoder KADDOUR, 70. Michael VONJA (gk), 77. Riku DANZAKI
Ins: 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Josh RISDON (returns from suspension), 21. Sebastian PASQUALI (returns from rest), 70. Michael VONJA (promoted), 77. Riku DANZAKI (returns from injury)
Outs: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (injured), 34. James YORK (omitted), 36. Zach LISOLAJSKI (omitted)
Unavailable: 4. James DONACHIE (suspended), 7. Ramy NAJJARINE (injured), 24. Connor O’TOOLE (injured), 27. Jacob TRATT (injured), 41. Oliver LAVALE (injured)
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League Men Round 18
Brisbane Roar vs Western United
Friday, 23 February
Kick-off: 7:00pm AEDT
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
