Central Coast Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna will not finalise his side for Sunday’s A-League showdown against Wellington until the last minute.
Central Coast Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna will not finalise his side for Sunday’s A-League showdown against Wellington until the last minute.
With key Mariners players already on the sidelines with injury, McKinna has had more dramas this week.
Several players have been battling the flu and have been unable to train at full tilt.
Striker Nik Mrdja will not make the trek to New Zealand, while midfielders Brad Porter and Mile Jedinak, along with in-form striker Sasho Petrovski, have all been struck down with the flu.
McKinna is confident all three will play some part in the round four showdown.
“It’s not ideal, but as the week’s gone on the boys have been getting better,” McKinna said.
“Nik is the only one who is not coming to New Zealand. I’m confident the other three will be fine.”
On a positive note, off season recruit Adrian Caceres is back in full training and battling for a start in the match after recovering from a rib injury. Caceres was injured just before the Mariners’ last start 4-2 win against Queensland, but has trained strongly this week.
McKinna said going to New Zealand and getting three points was ‘always very tough’.
“We’re in a good position after the win against the Roar,” he said.
“If we play with a similar attitude we’ll go well.”
The Mariners are expected to come face to face with a familiar face with former Central Coast crowd favourite Adam Kwasnik now with the Phoenix.
