Western United boss John Aloisi could welcome two key senior players back into his side for Saturday evening’s Isuzu UTE A-League Men clash against Perth Glory.
Ben Garuccio and Daniel Penha are both poised to make their returns to the United line-up after their respective injuries.
Garuccio has missed the last four games after picking up a muscle issue during the 2-2 draw with Sydney at the beginning of February.
The left-back scored in that game – his second strike in three outings – and he will look to immediately get back into the top form that he was exhibiting before his injury.
Penha missed last weekend’s draw with Brisbane Roar after hurting his ankle against Melbourne Victory just over a week ago, but the Brazilian will be eying a swift return to the side.
Aloisi said in his pre-match press conference that he is expecting Penha to be involved in a big boost to his attacking options.
Like Garuccio, Penha was also in outstanding form before picking up his knock. His goal in that Victory game was his second in as many games and his fifth of the campaign so far.
Aloisi has otherwise named an unchanged 20-man extended squad to take on Perth, meaning Tom Heward-Belle will again miss out with Matt Sutton set for back-to-back starts in goal.
James Donachie will complete his three-game suspension in this game and look to return to the side for next week’s meeting with Western Sydney Wanderers.
Ramy Najjarine, Connor O’Toole, Jacob Tratt and Oliver Lavale remain United’s other absentees with a strong contingent of Academy starlets remaining in the squad.
Matthew Grimaldi will be gunning for a third consecutive start while Charbel Shamoon, Khoder Kaddour and Luke Vickery will all be eager to further opportunities.
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: 11. Daniel PENHA (returns from injury), 17. Ben GARUCCIO
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (injured), 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 19
Western United vs Perth Glory
Saturday, 2 March
Kick-off: 5:00pm AEDT
Mars Stadium, Ballarat
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
