Western United will be without Catherine Zimmerman for Wednesday night’s clash with Ninja A-League leaders Melbourne City, with the American striker set for surgery on a fractured collarbone.
Zimmerman suffered the injury in the second half of her side’s 4-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday; scans revealed the collarbone fracture, with the experienced forward now booked in for surgery with an expected four-to-six week recovery timeline.
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But while Zimmerman sits out Wednesday’s trip to ctrl:cyber Pitch, Western will be boosted by the return of star defender Alana Cerne from injury; the centre-back was initially ruled out in January for more than a month after suffering a fractured foot, but has been included in head coach Kat Smith’s extended squad to push for a return ahead of time.
Sixth-placed Western travel to face an unbeaten City outfit on Wednesday night, with the current league leaders bolstered by the return of Matildas forward Bryleeh Henry, who has been sidelined since early January after suffering a concussion.
Wednesday night’s clash between City and Western sees Matildas duo Holly McNamara and Chloe Lincoln face off after the pair were included in interim head coach Tom Sermanni’s 23-player squad for the SheBelieves cup later this month.
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Team news – Melbourne City v Western United
Melbourne City squad: 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 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, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 11. Emilia MURRAY (promoted), 22. Bryleeh HENRY (returns from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 20. Caitlin KARIC (hamstring)
Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 4. Claudia MIHOCIC, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 8. Sasha GROVE, 9. Sara EGGESVIK, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Sandra IBARGUEN, 13. Avaani PRAKASH, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO, 28. Isabel DEHAKIZ, 36. Chloe LINCOLN (gk)
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 11. Sandra IBARGUEN, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 22. Alana CERNE (returns from injury)
Outs: 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN (injured)
Unavailable: Nil