Round 14 of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season is already underway with Sydney FC and Newcastle playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw on Wednesday evening.
Here are four key inclusions in the remaining matches of the round…
NATHAN BURNS (WELLINGTON PHOENIX)
If ever a team needed a spark, it’s Wellington Phoenix and they’ve got it in the form of former star Nathan Burns.
The 2014/15 Johnny Warren Medallist has returned to the club where he catapulted himself into the Caltex Socceroos frame with 13 goals in 24 appearances, helping Wellington to their most recent finals appearances.
With Phoenix languishing six points adrift at the foot of the ladder, could Burns be the man to ignite a revival in the second half of their campaign?
DARIO VIDOSIC (MELBOURNE CITY)
Just over two weeks after leaving Wellington, a quirk of the fixture list means the former Caltex Socceroos playmaker could face his former club in his first outing in City blue.
City – who have lost their last three – have been hit by departures of their own, as well as injuries and international call-ups, with Tim Cahill, Fernando Brandan, Bruno Fornaroli, Bruce Kamau and Stefan Mauk all absent for one of those reasons.
In his first game for his fifth Hyundai A-League club, Vidosic may well be needed to fill that attacking void after an impressive ten games and four goals for Phoenix before his departure.
ADAM TAGGART (PERTH GLORY)
Having scored three goals in the first five games of the season, Taggart has been missing for two months after tearing his hamstring in early November.
There could be no better time for Taggart to be reunited with Diego Castro and Andy Keogh, both of who have also missed chunks of the season through injury.
Glory were handed a 6-0 hiding by Sydney FC last time out, and will be desperate to put that performance behind them in front of their home fans; Taggart’s return may well be a key part of that.
JACOB MELLING (CENTRAL COAST MARINERS)
After just one start for Western Sydney in 2017/18, Melling has joined his former Young Socceroos coach Paul Okon at the Mariners for the rest of the season.
His arrival coincides with playmaker Daniel De Silva’s departure for international duty and his combative style and tenacious approach will be welcomed by Central Coast fans.
Melling joins a Mariners side who are desperate to climb the table, starting with an imposing visit to in-form Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.
