The depth of Brisbane’s playing stocks will again be put to the test this weekend with hamstrung pair Danny Tiatto and Reinaldo ruled out of Sunday’s clash against Perth.
The depth of Brisbane’s playing stocks will again be put to the test this weekend with hamstrung pair Danny Tiatto and Reinaldo ruled out of Sunday’s clash against Perth.
The Roar regain the services of Brazilian flyer Henrique, but coach Ange Postecoglou will be forced to field a relatively inexperienced side.
Reinaldo, Tiatto, midfielder Matt McKay (quad) and defender Ivan Franjic (hamstring) are all unavailable for the trip to Western Australia.
Injuries have been a constant for much of the Roar’s 2009/10 Hyundai A-League campaign and with the club fighting back from the foot of the ladder to now be within striking distance of the top six, the latest setbacks have come at an inopportune time.
Postecoglou confirmed on Friday that former Qantas Socceroos midfielder Tiatto and Brazilian striker Reinaldo, who grabbed a brace in the Roar’s last-start 4-1 win over Wellington, would both miss the match against the Glory.
The former Qantas Young Socceroos mentor admitted the injury-enforced omission of three key players was a setback, but nonetheless remained upbeat ahead of the trip to Members Equity Stadium.
“It’s been that sort of season for the club, from day one we’ve had to battle with injuries and sometimes it just goes like that,” Postecoglou said.
“Even before I got here the club has been decimated by injuries, but we’re not the only ones, other clubs would say the same thing – we’ve just got to deal with it and move on.”
“Adam Sarota stepped in last week and did very well, someone else will get an opportunity this week – it’s up to them to step up.”
Henrique, returning after a one-match ban for a red card he earned while handling the ball against Melbourne, will be one of those required to fill the void.
Postecoglou suggested the zippy winger would start on the weekend, more than likely partnering Sergio van Dijk up front in the absence of Reinaldo.
“That’s probably the most obvious choice (for Henrique to play forward), but we’ll toss it around a little bit,” he said.
“He’s itching to get out there again and he’s looked good at training. He gives us some attacking options and some support for Serg.”
“Early on he’ll have plenty of energy and cause problems, I doubt he’ll last ninety minutes, but we’re pretty keen to get him out there.”
Postecoglou revealed the club will also receive a boost in the return of Michael Zullo, who has been battling osteitis pubis since the start of the season.
“Michael probably won’t start, I haven’t decided on the team but more than likely he’ll start on the bench,” he said.
“He’s another one who has been looking good at training and working hard. He’s obviously lacking in match conditioning, but we’re keen to get him back in there as soon as possible.”
Postecoglou admitted McKay, Reinaldo and Tiatto had all been playing injured recently due to the lack of fit personnel.
“The reality of it is, in particular Reinaldo and Matty, they’ve kind of been doing us a favour playing the last three or four weeks,” he said.
“They’ve been pushing through it.”
“Now that we’ve got a couple of players back, I think it’s only fair that we give them the time to get right.”
“I reckon it’s probably close to two weeks (that Reinaldo and McKay will miss).”
“Obviously they are pretty key players. In particular Matty McKay and Reinaldo, we’ve got to get them right now and in the mean time, the door opens for other players.”
David Dodd, Mitch Nichols and youth player Luke Brattan are the leading contenders to receive a promotion to the Roar’s engine room.
Massimo Murdocca will continue his comeback from a broken leg in Saturday’s National Youth League fixture.
