Western United ALW Team News: Round 7 vs Adelaide United

Kat Smith has named her first extended squad as Western United’s Liberty A-League Women Head Coach and could immediately welcome back a key player.

The new boss has worked with the players for the entire week and should have Tyla Jay Vlajnic at her disposal on the left-hand side.

Vlajnic missed United’s last two fixtures with a groin issue and with an extra week to recover over the international break, she is ready to return for Smith’s debut as manager.

Smith will test the fitness of both Kahli Johnson and Avaani Prakash once they return to Melbourne after their Young Matildas commitments in China.

Both players are named in the extended squad and will hope to put themselves forward for selection for Western United in Saturday’s trip to Adelaide.

Leaders Chloe Logarzo, Jaclyn Sawicki and Grace Maher will hope to guide the team under the new coach for the first time and will be eager to ensure Smith gets off to a winning start.

Emma Robers will bring fond memories with her from last season’s trip to Adelaide where she struck a stunning injury time winner from outside the box.

Under the guidance of a new head coach, a number of players will competing for minutes across the pitch with the likes of Lucy Richards and Keiwa Hieda hoping to continue their strong recent involvement.

Equally, Smith with keeping an eye on her new squad and will be eager for each player to impress as she hunts a win as Western United boss at the first time of asking.

Full Western United extended squad

Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 2. Stacey PAPADOPOULOS, 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

Ins: 14. Natasha DAKIC, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC (returns from injury)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 17. Raquel DERALAS (injured), 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN (injured)