Western Sydney Wanderers coach Markus Babbel is looking to strengthen his threadbare squad after Bruce Kamau, Kwame Yeboah and Tarek Elrich were the latest additions to his injury list.
Babbel was already dealing with the long-term loss of star signing Radi Majewski following a training ground collision three weeks ago.
The German chief then had to make late adjustments for the 2-1 homecoming win against Central Coast Mariners after Kamau and Yeboah broke down in practise.
Elrich was forced off in the 16th minute at Bankwest Stadium with a hamstring issue and Babbel expects to be without the foundation player for ‘two, three, four weeks.’
Babbel confirmed veteran Kamau would be sidelined for the ‘next couple of weeks’, and added ‘we’re not 100% sure’ if attacker Yeboah will return in time for the Round 2 clash at Melbourne Victory.
“We are looking around for some players but it is not easy to get good ones,” Babbel added.
“We want players who want come to us, so we take our time. I believe in this time and, of course, if you lose quality you want to get quality back.
“It was hard [to lose Majewski] but this is football. Now we are working to see if we can get someone but, if not, maybe we have to wait till the winter break.”
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Babbel revealed he decided not to risk experienced defender Patrick Ziegler for the Round 1 clash as Western Sydney made a victorious return to Wanderland after three years on the road.
“Patrick Ziegler was a hard decision because he was so hard working but he’s still not 100%,” Babbel said.
“I did not want to take this risk with another player who is not fully fit to play. I was talking with him long and he understands.
“He was nearly out for one year, he is training now for three weeks. He played the [pre-season] game against Western United but it takes time.
“Our problem at the moment is some players they have to play, some players we can decide. I think it’s better if you get a couple of weeks more in your legs and you are prepared.
“Because if [Ziegler] is going in, you have to stay in – very simple.”
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Babbel was forced to turn to the likes of youngsters Tass Mourdoukoutas and Neil Sullivan, while Daniel Wilmering, Kosta Grozos and Mohamed Adam made an impact from the bench at Bankwest Stadium.
“The team that was on the pitch, I believed could win the game,” he said. “I’m very happy for the young ones because in the pre-season I was criticising them.
“But now, they did a good job and this is what I expect from them and I’m very happy they helped the team to get the result.”
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