Western United ALM Team News: Round 3 vs Macarthur FC

Nikita Rukavytsya could be in line for his Western United debut after being named in John Aloisi’s extended squad for this weekend’s trip to face Macarthur FC.

The Socceroos striker has been building his fitness since joining the Club a little over a month ago and is now poised to feature on matchday for the first time.

A possible appearance would be Rukavytsya’s first in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men since April 2015, marking a return to domestic Australian football almost a decade in the making for the 23-times capped Socceroo.

After a decorated career overseas, the pacey forward will hope to hit the ground running and join the likes of Noah Botic, Lachie Wales and Daniel Penha on the pitch in the final third.

Kane Vidmar made his professional debut against Western Sydney Wanderers last week, coming on for the final 10 minutes at centre-back.

The 19-year-old showed signs of his emerging quality and will be pushing to feature again with James Donachie still absent from the squad.

Arriving from Sydney FC in the off-season, Donachie is yet to make his debut after suffering a minor calf injury at the end of pre-season and will have to wait at least another week to make his Green and Black bow.

Ramy Najjarine impressed off the bench last week and will be working for a place as in the starting line-up, as will former Macarthur man Michael Ruhs.

Full Western United extended squad

Western United squad: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 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, 24. Connor O’TOOLE, 27. Jacob TRATT, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (gk), 38. Noah BOTIC, 39. Matthew GRIMALDI, 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 77. Riku DANZAKI

Ins: 13. Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (promoted), 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 4. James DONACHIE (injured)