Western United ALM Team News: Round 8 vs Brisbane Roar

John Aloisi has named his extended squad for Western United’s Isuzu UTE A-League Men Round 8 fixture against Brisbane Roar.

The Green and Black will head into the Friday night clash without striker Nikita Rukavytsya, who has been ruled out with a calf issue.

James Donachie is at the opposite end of a calf injury himself and has got through another week of training, but Aloisi said this clash would come too soon for the former Brisbane centre-back.

The Western United boss will be hoping he can hand Donachie his debut next week against another of his former sides in Sydney FC.

Elsewhere, there is a return to the 20-man squad for young striker Jake Najdovski who will be eager to push for a spot in the matchday squad in Rukavytsya’s absence.

Michael Ruhs made an appearance off the bench last week and will also fancy his chances of earning minutes up front, while Noah Botic will once again be aiming to lead the line.

After making a triple substitution at half-time against Central Coast Mariners last Friday, Aloisi hinted in his pre-match press conference that he could make changes to his starting XI, though they won’t be wholesale ones.

Sebastian Pasquali and Ramy Najjarine were two of those substitutes and will be angling for starts, as might youngsters Kane Vidmar and Matthew Grimaldi.

Rhys Bozinovski is yet to feature in a matchday squad as he continues to grow in training after a spell of injuries throughout last season. The 19-year-old is another that will be pushing for inclusion this Friday.

Aloisi will maintain the faith in his players and hope they can put in a strong performance that will yield a positive result.

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: 24. Connor O’TOOLE, 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 49. Jake NAJDOVSKI (promoted)

Outs: 13. Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (injured)

Unavailable: 4. James DONACHIE (injured)