Mark Torcaso will hope to be able to call upon Tyla Jay Vlajnic once again for Western United’s Liberty A-League Women Round 6 encounter with Western Sydney Wanderers.
United’s No.19 missed last week’s 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar due to a minor groin problem but has returned to training this week and will hope to feature again.
The strength in depth at Torcaso’s disposal is becoming increasingly apparent as even in Vlajnic’s absence, a number of wide players stood up big for United in Queensland last week.
Julia Sardo was superb at right-back and will be competing for back-to-back starts for the first time this season, while Lucy Richards impressed ahead of her on the wing in her first professional start.
Fresh from a Young Matildas call-up, Avaani Prakash is back in the extended squad and will hope for more minutes in front of the home fans after her impressive debut against Melbourne City in Round 3.
Fellow Young Matilda Kahli Johnson has been on fire this season, already scoring two goals in the opening five matches and developing into a key attacking outlet for the Green and Black.
She will be hoping to add to her goal tally for the season, as will Hannah Keane and Chloe Logarzo who both have one goal each to their names.
There is a first inclusion in an extended squad this season for young defender Silver Bell Morris. The 19-year-old would be making her professional debut if she takes to the field on matchday and is continuing to impress the coaching staff in training.
Hillary Beall made her return in Brisbane last week and will hope to play in front of the Green and Black faithful at City Vista for the first time since April.
Torcaso will have another headache to get through when deciding his matchday squad of 16 players, though the certainty is he will have a strong squad capable of fighting for all three points on Saturday.
Full Western United extended squad
Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 2. Stacey PAPADOPOULOS, 3. Silver Bell MORRIS, 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 9. Hannah KEANE, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Emma ROBERS, 12. Lucy RICHARDS, 13. Avaani PRAKASH, 14. Natasha DAKIC, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 21. Hillary BEALL (gk), 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO, 26. Natalie PICAK (gk)
Ins: 3. Silver Bell MORRIS (promoted), 13. Avaani PRAKASH, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC (returns from injury), 26. Natalie PICAK
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 17. Raquel DERALAS (injured), 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN (injured)
Match Details
Liberty A-League Women Round 6
Western United vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday, 25 November
Kick-off: 4:00pm AEDT
City Vista Pavilion and Sports Field, Fraser Rise
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live and free on 10Play, and on Paramount+