Adelaide United winger Andy Slory has not travelled with his team-mates to New Zealand for the clash with Wellington Phoenix on Saturday following an injury concern.
Adelaide United winger Andy Slory has not travelled with his team-mates to New Zealand for the clash with Wellington Phoenix on Saturday following an injury concern.
Slory, who has struggled with form this season pulled out of training on Monday with a hamstring injury and did not partake in the remaining sessions before the squad jetted off to Auckland on Thursday.
Adelaide coach Rini Coolen, however, said 29-year-old Slory did actually prove his fitness just before the flight but the manager wanted to give local talent Ricardo Da Silva the chance to make his debut.
“Slory got injured during Monday training … it started with his hamstring and because of it he missed a few (training) sessions during the week,” Coolen said.
“We thought it was a big thing, but it’s not and at the moment he is fit and could have been available to join us in our squad.”
“The only reason I didn’t do it (select Slory) is because it’s better to have everybody 100 per cent fit and that’s why we have taken Ricky (Ricardo Da Silva).”
“Ricky is much fitter then him (Slory), he has worked hard and it’s good to give a player like Ricky a chance to be in our squad for the first time.”
“He is doing well at the moment and will more than likely start off the bench, but he is also more than likely going to make his debut on Saturday.”
Along with Slory, the Reds are missing several key players including Milan Susak, Evgeniy Levchenko, Sergio van Dijk, Mark Birighitti and Daniel Mullen.
Susak, Levchenko and van Dijk are all suffering from calf injuries and are not expected back until next week, while Birighitti and Mullen are away with the Qantas Olyroos squad for Australia’s next Olympic qualifiers.
United also have further injury concern with Brazilian full-back Cassio in some doubt with a bruised foot, and have taken a 16-man squad to cover any late withdrawals for the trans-Tasman trip, including recently maligned defender Antony Golec who could also make his Reds’ debut.
Coolen said while he would prefer to have his full strength squad available, he was looking forward to his reserve players taking the chance to step up and make an impression.
“You prefer to have everybody available, especially at the moment because we have fewer choices … but the positive thing about losing players is that somebody else gets an opportunity,” Coolen said.
“It’s positive for the other players who have worked hard and now get picked to play in the squad.”
“I’m pretty confident about them taking their chances.”
