There’s been mixed news for Perth Glory on the injury front as the team prepares for a North Queensland road trip, with clouds hanging over the fitness of Chris Coyne and Branko Jelic.
Central defender Coyne missed last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Brisbane after hurting his back in training and is only rated a 50-50 chance to return this week, while striker Branko Jelic is also in doubt with an ankle injury.
But there was some good news, as scans cleared Jamie Harnwell of any problems with his left calf, the popular veteran feeling some tightness after returning from a two-month absence with a knee injury in fine style by scoring the Glory’s only goal against Brisbane.
Having missed all but two games this campaign after tearing his hamstring in a pre-season game and following that up immediately with the knee injury on his return, Harnwell described the goal as a massive weight off his shoulders, the 32-year-old admitting he had doubted he could come back and make an impact.
But for his team-mates, seeing Harnwell score was just another day at the office for the man supporters believe brings the scoring x-factor to the Glory side.
“He’s just in the right place at the right time,” was Scott Neville’s simple explanation.
“He has a massive heart and he’s always got the desire to be in the right place and that puts him in good stead.”
“Unfortunately I was a bit sore myself so I couldn’t go and celebrate with him but it’s always good to see him score.”
“I think jumping the fence rolled back the years for him,” he added, referring to Harnwell’s emotional celebration as he hugged members of the parochial Perth crowd.
“He might have pulled his hammy jumping the fence I think,” Neville joked.
Neville, himself, also hurt his groin slightly making a tackle during the first half, but played on and was rewarded by being named man of the match by his team-mates for a sterling defensive shift that saw him make a crucial block to deny Mitch Nichols having a free shot at goal.
But, while Neville also saw off dangerous Brisbane youngster Tommy Oar, the 20-year-old isn’t guaranteed a first-team position as it was Coyne’s injury that gave Neville his chance to start at right-back in a re-shuffled defence.
Despite knowing he could return to the bench for this week’s game if Coyne is passed fit, Neville, one of the success stories from Perth’s National Youth League side last year, is prepared to do the hard yards to earn selection.
“I just try and play my best whatever the needs for the team,” he said.
“In the youth team I was playing centre-back and with the first team I came in and played right back last season and I’ve done the job at right wing as well.”
“Basically, just wherever I get asked to play, I’ll do it,” he said.
