Melbourne Victory will be without first-choice goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos for Sunday’s away game against Wellington after he injured his ankle at training.
Melbourne Victory will be without first-choice goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos for Sunday’s away game against Wellington after he injured his ankle at training.
Theoklitos, who was the hero when Melbourne beat Wellington in the Pre-Season Cup final, will only miss one week, with understudy Mitch Langerak to step in for the second game of the season.
“It was an unfortunate accident at training, he rolled his ankle, so it’s probably a one-week injury. So he will be out this week. Young Mitch will be elevated to a first team spot,” coach Ernie Merrick said.
Merrick has every faith Langerak will be up to the task, having already blooded him in several Hyundai A-League games.
“We’ve thrown him in the deep end several times, not only in the Pre-Season Cup, but one of the biggest games in the last year against Sydney. He was outstanding. That’s why you have a back-up goalkeeper. We have no problems about putting him in,” he said.
“We’ve blooded him over the two seasons and he just seems to get better at training every week. He’s got the height, he’s confident in the air and he has nearly a season in the (Victorian) Premier League as well. He’s ready to go.”
Victory has signed a back-up keeper, Tommy Tomich. ahead of the match in Wellington.
“Gary Cole is working on that as we speak and we will have a second goalkeeper on the bench,” Merrick said.
In other selection news, Leigh Broxham and Billy Celeski are both ready for the full 90 minutes after returning from Olympic duty on the eve of the season-opening 0-0 draw against Sydney. Both came on as substitutes in that game.
Archie Thompson and Nick Ward are another week away from returning, while Merrick will decide closer to game time whether to include Grant Brebner in his squad for the first time since the midfielder’s recovery from a debilitating groin injury.
“We’re going to look at him this afternoon. He’s getting close, he’s looking good at training. He’s a high-quality player, he’s great at keeping possession, he’s got great vision, he’s a great passer, and he’s training really well,” Merrick said.
“We’ve got a squad of 22 players and they are all very important to our success this year. Players were very disappointed with our effort last week, and their training has been outstanding. That’s the approach that everyone has to have. We have to have people pushing for the first XI and Brebs is certainly in that group.
