Brisbane Roar could welcome star duo Tameka Yallop and Grace Kuilamu back from injury for a crucial clash with Melbourne City in the Ninja A-League on Wednesday night.
After a magnificent start to the season, Brisbane have won just one of their last nine games.
Alex Smith’s side sat first after four rounds but have slid to sixth with four games to play – and it could get worse for the Roar, with the three sides within one win of the Queenslanders and hoping to pounce on their place in the top six.
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Brisbane could, however, pull four points clear of seventh-placed Canberra United with a win over City at Perry Park on Wednesday night – but defeating the league leaders has proved impossible this season, with the Premiership favourites currently on a Ninja A-League all-time record 19-game unbeaten run.
In positive news for the hosts, CommBank Matildas legend Yallop and Young Matildas star Grace Kuilamu are both in selection contention after respective calf and shoulder concerns that sidelined both players for Sunday’s 3-1 loss to Adelaide United.
City, meanwhile, have named a strong squad for the trip to Brisbane – the first of their two away games this week. Michael Matricciani’s side will then travel across the ditch to face Wellington Phoenix this weekend.
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Despite being unbeaten through 19 games this season, the Premiership title is far from secure for City with local rivals Melbourne Victory just two points behind, having played the same number of games. Adelaide are also in the Premiership hunt with 39 points on the board – four less than City, having played one game more than the current league leaders.
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Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City: Ins & Outs
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Keeley RICHARDS, 2. Leia VARLEY, 3. Deborah-Anne DE LA HARPE, 6. Holly MCQUEEN, 7. Momo HAYASHI, 8. Mariel HECHER, 10. Grace KUILAMU, 13. Tameka YALLOP, 14. Zara KRUGER, 16. Chelsea BLISSETT, 17. Evdokia POPADINOVA, 18. Emily PRINGLE, 19. Laini FREIER, 20. Tanaye MORRIS, 22. Ruby CUTHBERT, 23. Isabela Hoyos 32. Alicia WOODS, 99. Emma GIBBON
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 10. Grace KUILAMU, 13. Tameka YALLOP, 22. Ruby CUTHBERT
Outs: 5. Amali KINSELLA
Unavailable: 4. Kijah STEPHENSON (ACL), 11. Sharn FREIER (ankle)
Melbourne City squad: 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly McNAMARA, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 14. Laura HUGHES, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC
Ins: 11. Emilia MURRAY, 20. Caitlin KARIC (both promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
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