Injured Melbourne pair Archie Thompson and Nick Ward are on track to make their first Hyundai A-League appearances of the season in Victory’s opening home clash against Newcastle in Round 3.
Injured Melbourne pair Archie Thompson and Nick Ward are on track to make their first Hyundai A-League appearances of the season in Victory’s opening home clash against Newcastle in Round 3.
Victory football operations manager Gary Cole said Thompson, who suffered a foot injury on Olympic duty with Australia, was expected to take to Telstra Dome against the Jets.
Thompson worked in the gym on Tuesday morning as his team-mates went through their paces at Gosch’s Paddock in Melbourne.
“Archie was obviously a bit down when he got back (from Beijing) but the medical guys examined him yesterday and the signs are really good,” Cole explained.
“He’s progressing well, progressed well in the past 24 hours so he looks like he’s a really good chance to play against Newcastle.”
His absence gave recruit Ney Fabiano the chance to partner Danny Allsopp up front in Sydney, but Cole is looking forward to the marquee man boosting the attacking options.
“We certainly have more depth with Fabiano and young Nathan Elasi.”
“But it would be a nice problem to have all three of them in the team to increase the firepower.”
Ward, who missed Melbourne’s scoreless opening-round draw with Sydney, is battling a calf injury.
He will not play in New Zealand against Wellington this weekend but is in line to be given the nod the following week.
“He got an injury deep in his calf,” Cole said.
“He’s had a week off now and is responding really well.”
“Ernie should have some selection problems come the Newcastle game.”
Meanwhile, Grant Brebner’s extended stint on the sidelines could be over. The Scot is tipped to make an appearance off the bench against the Phoenix, his first in the A-League since the middle of the 2007-08 campaign.
