Round 5 Ins and Outs: Fornaroli named for Victory, big names in the mix to return

The teams are IN ahead of Round 5!

KEEPUP brought you all the Ins and Outs via this week’s live blog, which runs between 5.00pm and 6.00pm AEDT every Thursday prior to the airing of each episode of A-Leagues All Access at 7.30pm AEDT.

This week, it’s time for episode four: ‘Sky’s the Limit’, starring Garang Kuol!

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INS AND OUTS – ROUND 5

MELBOURNE VICTORY v NEWCASTLE JETS

Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Matt ACTON, 3.Enrique LOPEZ, 4.Rai MARCHAN, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 8.Josh BRILLANTE. 9.Tomi JURIC, 10.Bruno FORNAROLI, 11.Ben FOLAMI, 15.Geroge TIMOTHEOU, 16.Stefan NIGRO, 17.Luis NANI, 18.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 20.Paul IZZO, 21.Roderick MIRANDA, 22.Jake BRIMMER, 23.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 24.Nishan VELUPILLAY, 25.Noah SMITH, 26.Lleyton BROOKS

In: 8. Josh BRILLANTE (returns from suspension), 10.Bruno FORNAROLI (new signing)

Out: nil

Unavailable: 5.Matt SPIRANOVIC (injured)

Squad analysis: Bruno Fornaroli is in the selection frame after his dramatic move from Perth to Victory on Monday. Where he fits in an attacking unit already featuring Chris Ikonomidis, Luis Nani, Jake Brimmer, Ben Folami and Tomi Juric is yet to be revealed – but after going three consecutive games without a goal, Tony Popovic’s side might benefit from the Uruguayan’s injection in the final third.

Defender Jason Geria isn’t included in the squad – but isn’t listed as unavailable, either. He’s been training fully this week after a hip injury and will be assessed after training on Thursday.

The word from Popovic: “We need to check with Jason that he feels comfortable and ready, which we’ll do after today’s session and if he’s fit and healthy and happy to go, then we’ll have him in the squad on Friday.”

Newcastle Jets squad: Jack DUNCAN (gk), 2. Dane INGHAM, 3. Jason HOFFMAN, 4. Jordan ELSEY, 5. Matthew JURMAN (co-captain), 6. Brandon O’NEILL (co-captain), 7. Trent BUHAGIAR, 8. Beka DARTSMELIA, 9. Beka MIKELTADZE, 10. Reno PISCOPO, 11. Jaushua SOTIRIO, 14. Mohamed AL-TAAY, 17. Kosta GROZOS, 18. Daniel STYNES, 19. Callum TIMMINS, 20. Michael WEIER (gk), 23. Rory JORDAN, 24. James McGARRY, 25. Carl JENKINSON (co-captain), 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Mark NATTA

In: Archie GOODWIN

Out: Noah JAMES

Squad analysis: Beka Mikeltadze is back in the frame to start for the Jets on Friday night. The Georgian came off the bench in a 2-0 loss to Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 4, returning from a knock picked up against Perth in Round 2.

MELBOURNE CITY v PERTH GLORY

Melbourne City FC squad: 1. Tom GLOVER (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 3. Scott JAMIESON (C), 4. Nuno REIS, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 8. Richard VAN DER VENNE, 9. Jamie MACLAREN, 13. Aiden O’NEILL, 14. Valon BERISHA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Taras GOMULKA, 18. Jordon HALL, 22. Curtis GOOD, 23. Marco TILIO, 25. Callum TALBOT, 30. Luke ORESTI, 33. Matthew SUTTON (GK), 34. Arion SULEMANI, 36. Kerrin STOKES, 38. Jordan BOS.

In: 4. Nuno REIS (returns from injury), 30. Luke ORESTI (promoted), 34. Arion SULEMANI (promoted).

Out: 6. Thomas LAM (suspension).

Unavailable: 6. Thomas LAM (suspension), 10. Florin BERENGUER (hamstring).

Squad analysis: Nuno Reis returns from injury at a pivotal time for City with Thomas Lam suspended for Round 5 after collecting Wellington Phoenix forward Kosta Barbarouses with a high elbow in last weekend’s 2-2 draw.

Lam has been filling it at centre-back in place of the injured Reis to start the season – we could see Patrick Kisnorbo’s favoured centre-back partnership of Reis and Curtis Good this weekend for the first time this season.

Perth Glory squad: 33.Liam REDDY (gk), 3.Jacob DOWSE, 4.Luke BODNAR, 5.Mark BEEVERS (c), 6.Aaron MCENEFF, 7.Ryan WILLIAMS, 10.Salim KHELIFI, 11.Ben AZUBEL, 12.Luke IVANOVIC, 16.Keegan JELACIC, 18.David WILLIAMS, 19.Zach DUNCAN, 20.Giordano COLLI, 23.Mitch OXBORROW, 29.Daryl LACHMAN, 30.Pierce CLARK (gk), 36.Joseph FORDE, 37.Jacob MUIR, 43.Adam ZIMARINO, 77.Stefan COLAKOVSKI

Ins: 12.Luke IVANOVIC, 37.Jacob MUIR, 77.Stefan COLAKOVSKI

Outs: 2.John KOUTROUMBIS (injured)

Unavailable: 1.Brad JONES (gk) (injured), 2.John KOUTROUMBIS (injured), 8.Mustafa AMINI (injured), 13.Cameron COOK (injured), 21.Anthony BURKE-GILROY (injured), 22.Adrian SARDINERO (injured)

Squad analysis: Stefan Colakovski is elevated to the Glory squad for the trip to AAMI Park, where he’ll push to feature in the squad taking on his former side in City. Luke Ivanovic and young defender Jacob Muir join Colakovski as the three “ins” in Round 5, with full-back John Koutroumbis missing out through injury. Club captain Mustafa Amini remains sidelined.

WESTERN SYDNEY v CENTRAL COAST

Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 1.Daniel MARGUSH (GK), 2.Gabriel CLEUR, 3.Adama TRAORE, 5.Tomi MRCELA, 6.Marcelo GUEDES, 7.Ramy NAJJARINE, 8.Oliver BOZANIC, 9.Kusini YENGI, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Sulejman KRPIC, 12.Ruon TONGYIK, 17.Romain AMALFITANO, 19.Daniel WILMERING, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 23.Yeni NGBAKOTO, 26.Brandon BORRELLO, 28.Calem NIEUWENHOF, 35.Zac SAPSFORD, 36.Alessandro LOPANE, 37.Alex BADOLATO.

Ins: 8.Oliver BOZANIC (promoted), 23.Yeni NGBAKOTO (promoted).

Outs: N/A

Squad analysis: After Round 4’s win over Newcastle Jets, Western Sydney head coach Marko Rudan claimed Oliver Bozanic was “nowhere near” fit, after missing the first four games with a calf injury. But during Thursday’s pre-match press conference, Rudan clarified his comments, stating Bozanic was training with the squad ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Mariners.

If the former Socceroo does make the squad for Round 5, expect Romain Amalfitano and Calem Nieuwenhof to continue in the centre of the park ahead of Bozanic for the time being, with the midfield pair making a brilliant start to life in red and black over the first four rounds.

Central Coast squad: 2. Thomas AQUILINA, 3. Brian KALTAK, 4. Joshua NISBET, 6. Maximilien BALARD, 7. Samuel SILVERA, 9. Jason CUMMINGS, 11. Beni NKOLOLO, 13. Harrison STEELE, 14. Garang KUOL, 15. Storm ROUX, 17. Kelechi JOHN, 18. Jacob FARRELL, 20. Daniel VUKOVIC (c) (gk), 21. Michael RUHS, 23. Daniel HALL, 24. Yaren SOZER (gk), 25. Nectarios TRIANTIS, 29. Dor JOK, 90. Paul AYONGO, 98. MARCO TULIO

In: 17. Kelechi JOHN (promoted), 29. Dor JOK (promoted)

Out: NIL

Unavailable: 10. Matheus MORESCHE (injured), 26. Bradley TAPP (injured)

Squad analysis: Kelechi John and Dor Jok are promoted to the Mariners’ squad for their trip to Wanderland, where attention will be focussed on head coach Nick Montgomery’s starting XI on Saturday afternoon. Garang Kuol is pounding on his door for a start this weekend after a game changing display against Western United in Round 4; Montgomery made three half-time substitutions, with Jacob Farrell and Paul Ayongo both scoring off the bench after being injected into the game at the break.

BRISBANE ROAR v SYDNEY FC

Brisbane Roar Squad: 1.Macklin FREKE (gk), 2.Scott NEVILLE, 3.Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 5.Thomas ALDRED ©, 6.Connor CHAPMAN, 7.Rahmat AKABARI, 8.Riku DANZAKI, 9.Charles AUSTIN, 10.Nikola MILEUSNIC, 13.Henry HORE, 15.Jesse DALEY, 16.Joshua BRINDELL-SOUTH, 17.Carlo ARMIENTO, 19. Jack HINGERT, 26.James O’SHEA, 27.Kai TREWIN, 28.Joseph KNOWLES, 29.Cyrus DEHMIE, 31.Lachlan DUKE (gk), 35.Louis ZABALA, 40.Cardiff POND (gk) **(three to be omitted)**

In: 19. Jack HINGERT, 31.Lachlan DUKE (gk), 40.Cardiff POND (gk) (Promoted)

Out: 32.James NIKOLOVSKI

Unavailable: 11.Jez LOFTHOUSE (Injured), 23.Jordan HOLMES (gk) (Suspension)

Squad analysis: Jack Hingert is back in the selection frame after missing last week through injury – and there’s a guaranteed start for goalkeeper Macklin Freke after a red card to Jordan Holmes in Round 4. Freke replaced Holmes in the second half against Melbourne Victory and together the two keepers combined to keep a clean sheet – Brisbane’s second in four games.

Sydney FC squad: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 2. James DONACHIE, 5. Connor O’TOOLE, , 8. Paulo RETRE, 10. Joe LOLLEY, 11. Robert MAK, 12. Pat WOOD, 16. Patrick YAZBEK, 17. Anthony CACERES, 18. Diego CABALLO, 19. Adrian SEGECIC, 20. Thomas HEWARD-BELLE (GK), 21. Alex PARSONS, 22. Max BURGESS, 23. Rhyan GRANT, 25. Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 26. Luke BRATTAN ©, 28. Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 29. Aaron GURD.

In: 5. Connor O’TOOLE (promoted).

Out: None

Unavailable: 4.Alex WILKINSON (c) (injured), 6. Jack RODWELL (injured), 9. Adam LE FONDRE (injured)

**2-3 to be omitted**

Squad analysis: Connor O’Toole is promoted to a squad otherwise unchanged, with Alex Wilkinson, Jack Rodwell and Adam Le Fondre continuing their respective stints on the sidelines through injury. Young Sydney striker Patrick Wood will lead the line in Le Fondre’s absence, and is in good form having bagged two goals in as many games.

WESTERN UNITED v ADELAIDE UNITED

Western United squad: 1. Jamie YOUNG (gk), 4. Leo LACROIX, 5. Dylan PIERIAS, 8. Lachlan WALES, 9. Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 10. Steven LUSTICA, 11. Connor PAIN, 14. James TROISI, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Joshua RISDON, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 23. Alessandro DIAMANTI (c) 26. Nicolas MILANOVIC, 27. Jacob TRATT, 31. Adisu BAYEW, 33. Ben COLLINS, 37. Ryan SCOTT (gk), 38. Noah BOTIC, 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 88. Neil KILKENNY

In: 14. James TROISI (returns from injury), 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 33. Ben COLLINS

Out: 44. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (suspended)

Unavailable: 6. Tomoki IMAI (injured), 7. Tongo DOUMBIA (injured)

Squad analysis: Nikolai Topor-Stanley’s three-match suspension creates more headaches for Western United head coach John Aloisi after Tomoki Imai’s injury in Round 1. That’s two of three key central defenders out for the champions – it leaves Jacob Tratt and young defender Ben Collins to compete for a starting berth alongside Leo Lacroix over the next three rounds.

James Troisi is back in the mix for Round 5 after missing last weekend’s loss to Central Coast through injury.

Adelaide United squad: 1.James DELIANOV (gk), 2.Harry VAN DER SAAG, 3.Ben WARLAND, 6.Louis D’ARRIGO, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.ISAÍAS, 9.Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 11.Craig GOODWIN (c), 13.Lachlan BARR, 14.George BLACKWOOD, 21.Javi LÓPEZ, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 28.JUANDE, 33.Joshua MORI, 36.Panashe MADANHA, 41.Alexandar POPOVIĆ, 46.Joe GAUCI (gk), 47.Asad KASUMOVIĆ, 55.Ethan ALAGICH, 66.Nestory IRANKUNDA

In: 13.Lachlan BARR (returns from injury), 33.Joshua MORI (promoted)

Out: nil

Unavailable: 10.Zach CLOUGH (quad), 27.Joshua CAVALLO (spleen), 31.BERNARDO (foot), 37.Jonny YULL (back), 50.Steven HALL (knee)

Squad analysis: After signing as an injury replacement player in the place of creative midfielder Bernardo, Joshua Mori – son of Reds assistant and former Socceroo Damian Mori – comes into Carl Veart’s squad and will push to make his first A-League Men appearance this weekend.

Mori, formerly of the club’s youth team, joins from NPL SA outfit FK Beograd where he scored 18 goals in 22 matches under the coaching of his father to win the competitions Golden Boot in 2022.

Defender Lachlan Barr is also back in the mix this weekend.

WELLINGTON PHOENIX v MACARTHUR FC

Wellington Phoenix squad: 3. Finn SURMAN, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Steven UGARKOVIC, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Ben OLD, 9. Oskar ZAWADA, 10. David BALL, 11. Bozhidar KRAEV, 12. Lucas MAURAGIS, 13. Nicholas PENNINGTON, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 18. Ben WAINE, 19. Sam SUTTON, 20. Oli SAIL (gk), 21. Joshua LAWS, 23. Clayton LEWIS, 24. Oskar VAN HATTUM, 31. Yan SASSE, 40. Alex PAULSEN (gk)

Ins: Nil

Out: Nil

Unavailable: 14. Alex RUFER (injured)

Squad analysis: No ins and no outs for the ‘Nix – but plenty of questions regarding who Ufuk Talay will start this weekend after a triple substitution in Round 4 which earned his side a point in a dramatic comeback.

Oskar Zawadą, Bozhidar Kraev and Kosta Barbarouses were all injected into the contest in the second half against Melbourne City and helped orchestrate a two-goal comeback; all three will press to start in Talay’s front four this weekend – but David Ball, Ben Waine, Ben Old and Yan Sasse will be providing stiff competition.

Macarthur FC squad: Filip KURTO (gk), Jake McGING, Tomi USKOK, Mario WILLIAMS, Ivan VUJICA, Kearyn BACCUS, Daniel DE SILVA, Daniel ARZANI, Lachlan ROSE, Al Hassan TOURE, Nick SUMAN (gk), Matt MILLAR, Charles M’MOMBWA,, Anthony CARTER, Jed DREW, Craig NOONE, Jerry SKOTADIS, Isaac HOVAR, Rhys YOULLEY

In: Mario WILLIAMS, Rhys YOULLEY

Out: Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS (suspension), Aleks SUSNJAR (injury), Ulises DAVILA (injury), Jake HOLLMAN (illness)

Squad analysis: Barbados international Mario Williams will push to make his A-League Men debut this weekend, after being elevated into the Macarthur squad for Sunday’s trip to Wellington. There’s a gap in central defence and Williams can put his hand up to fill after the suspension of Jonathan Aspropotamitis. Ulises Davila is still sidelined with a hamstring injury, meaning Craig Noone will likely continue in his place centrally, and look to keep up the impressive form he’s displayed over two successive starts.