Western United ALM Team News: United Round vs Macarthur FC

Josh Risdon will join an exclusive club in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men on Friday night, making his 250^th appearance in the competition as Western United takes on Macarthur FC.

United’s captain will become the 22^nd player to reach the appearance milestone as United kicks off Unite Round against the Bulls.

The right-back will be make it 80 appearances for the Green and Black out of the 250 total and will be leading his side into battle as it goes in search of an important victory.

Risdon is part of an unchanged 20-man extended squad that John Aloisi has made for the trip to New South Wales.

That means Michael Ruhs is in line to follow up his first league goal for United against the club with which he emerged in the Isuzu UTE A-League as a teenager.

Jake Najdovski came off the bench for his league debut last week and will be hoping for more involvement, as will fellow youngsters Matthew Grimaldi and Rhys Bozinovski who continue to impress when given the opportunity to feature.

The remainder of Aloisi’s squad is familiar with each player simply looking to continue the positive run of performances and work to turn it into a win.

Angus Thurgate provided the assist for Ruhs’ goal against Melbourne City last week and will hope to continue growing from strength to strength in midfield while Lachie Wales and Daniel Penha remain two of the deadliest creators in the league this season.

United’s three injured players remain sidelined and continue to work on their respective recoveries, with James Donachie, Nikita Rukavytsya and Sebastian Pasquali still unavailable.

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, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 24. Connor O’TOOLE, 27. Jacob TRATT, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (gk), 35. Max BISETTO, 38. Noah BOTIC, 39. Matthew GRIMALDI, 41. Oliver LAVALE, 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 49. Jake NAJDOVSKI

Ins: 35. Max BISETTO, 41. Oliver LAVALE

Outs:

Unavailable: 4. James DONACHIE (injured), 13. Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (injured), 21. Sebastian PASQUALI (injured)