Western United ALM Team News: Round 9 vs Sydney FC

John Aloisi has named an extended squad that he hopes will continue to build momentum for Western United as his side travels to face Sydney FC on Saturday evening.

Aloisi himself will watch the match from the stands while serving a one-match suspension after he was sent off in last week’s thrilling 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar.

The work has been done on the training pitch throughout the week and Aloisi will carry an identical 20-man squad into the clash against the Sky Blues.

James Donachie and Nikita Rukavytsya remain on the treatment table but the rest of the squad is fit and firing and ready to make an impact across the border.

Daniel Penha scored his first goal for the Club last week with a cold-blooded penalty to equalise before Josh Risdon scored a dramatic winner.

Both of those players put in arguably their best performances of the season, and Aloisi will be looking for his star men to continue on that trend and lead the away again.

Lachie Wales is having a fine season and picked up an assist for Risdon’s winner last Friday – he scored and assisted last time Western United visited Allianz Stadium in the Isuzu UTE A-League.

There was a first appearance of the season – and indeed a first appearance since February – for Rhys Bozinovski last week with a 15-minute cameo off the bench.

The 19-year-old midfielder made his long-awaited return from injury and immediately impressed in the closing stages of the match, drawing praise from Aloisi in his pre-match press conference.

Bozinovski will be eager to feature again, as will Michael Ruhs who has come off the bench in the last two games to great effect, particularly last Friday at AAMI Park.

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, 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, 49. Jake NAJDOVSKI, 77. Riku DANZAKI

Ins: 24. Connor O’TOOLE, 49. Jake NAJDOVSKI

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 4. James DONACHIE (injured), 13. Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (injured)