Aaron Mooy’s Socceroos exploits should not prevent him featuring for Melbourne City FC against former club Western Sydney Wanderers, according to City head coach John van ‘t Schip.
Mooy came on for Australia in the second half of their 2-2 draw with world champions Germany last week, before starting the 0-0 draw against Macedonia on Tuesday morning (AEDT).
The 24-year-old has been a key player for City this season and would be a welcome inclusion for Friday night’s match at Pirtek Stadium.
Preview: Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne City FC
“We’ll meet him in Sydney,” van ‘t Schip said of the key midfielder.Â
“We’ll see him today. I’ll have a chat with him, see how he feels. If Aaron feels ok, for certain he’ll have a part in the game. Whether he starts or comes in (off the bench), we’ll discuss that with him.”
City earned a potentially decisive 1-0 victory at home to fellow finals challengers Brisbane Roar FC last Saturday night, with van ‘t Schip acknowledging it was important for the players to demonstrate they are capable of winning without Mooy in their ranks.
“Of course. And I think the boys proved the team is strong or stronger,” he said.
“He’s been very important for the team this year but without Aaron we had a very important win.”
Josh Kennedy, making his comeback from a minor injury, lasted until the 56th minute of the home match against the Roar, with the marquee centre-forward continuing to make progress and in contention to start again in Parramatta this weekend.
“Josh trained with us the whole week,” van ‘t Schip said.
“He’s ok. He was fit to play last week and continued this week with his schedule and his training sessions. He looks ready to play and to start.”
City played the Wanderers away as recently as March 11, giving up the lead twice to lose 3-2.
Although Tony Popovic’s side are out of finals contention and battling to avoid the wooden spoon, they remain a threat to opponents.Â
Perth Glory needed a last-minute winner to beat the Asian champions at home last weekend and van ‘t Schip knows his players can’t afford to produce anything less than their best to claim all three points.
“Looking at them for the last two or three games, they’re playing freely, they have good form, they are looking dangerous going forward with [Kerem] Bulut and [Romeo] Castelen so we have to be prepared and go there and get a result,” he said.
“That’s clear. If we want to continue having our vision to the finals then that’s our task.”
