Western United ALW Squad: Round 10 vs Western Sydney

On the back of a stunning result against Sydney FC and an intense week, Western United will add big quality to its Liberty A-League Women side with three major inclusions in the extended squad for Saturday’s trip to face Western Sydney Wanderers.

With this being the third match in the space of a week, Mark Torcaso has named an extended squad of 20 players and will assess the squad’s availability before travelling across the border.

The boss could hand a Western United debut to Angie Beard on Saturday as she is named in the provisional list for the first time in Green and Black.

After signing for the Club at the beginning of the week, Beard will make her return to the Liberty A-League Women having spent the last two seasons in Denmark.

Beard is joined in the extended squad for the match by captain Jaclyn Sawicki who has completed her return from injury and is in contention to play a part against the Wanderers.

The Filipina midfielder was on the bench in United’s opening two fixtures and came on in Round 2 against Wellington Phoenix but has not featured since as she focused on recovering from persistent knee pain.

Sawicki and Beard will both add significant quality and experience into the side which will be invaluable at the tail end of a taxing week for Torcaso’s team.

Chloe Logarzo has also been named in the extended squad and having missed out on the final 16 in the past two matches, the Matildas star is expected to return to the pitch in her home state.

United’s No.6 had been in fine form before missing the last two fixtures, scoring three crucial goals in two games and will hope to carry that form into this clash against the Wanderers.

Danielle Steer will be eager to feature again after making her debut against Sydney FC, while a number of players in the squad will be eying spots in the starting XI with rotation a possibility.

Having started all seven games so far this season, Melissa Taranto will not travel with the squad in order to manage her workload, while Harriet Withers is now the only long-term injury absentee.

Western United squad

Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 2. Stacey PAPADOPOULOS, 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 7. Francesca IERMANO, 8. Jessica McDONALD, 9. Hannah KEANE, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Emma ROBERS, 13. Danielle STEER, 14. Natasha DAKIC, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 18. Aleksandra SINCLAIR, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC, 20. Sydney CUMMINGS, 21. Hillary BEALL (gk), 22. Alana CERNE, 23. Angie BEARD, 24. Julia SARDO

Ins: 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI (returns from injury), 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 7. Francesca IERMANO (promoted), 23. Angie BEARD (new signing), 24. Julia SARDO (promoted)

Outs: 16. Melissa TARANTO (managed)

Unavailable: 12. Harriet Withers (injured)

*four to be omitted