Perth Glory are set to be without Young Matildas midfielder Georgia Cassidy and American import Gabby Hollar for the remainder of the season, head coach Stephen Peters confirmed this week.
The two standout performers missed last weekend’s trip to McKellar Park to face Canberra United and, ahead of Glory’s Round 15 clash with Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium, Peters revealed both Cassidy and Hollar are set for lengthy spells on the sidelines.
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Cassidy suffered a quad injury in Glory’s 3-2 win over Brisbane Roar in late January, while Hollar has been diagnosed with several blood clots that will prevent the United States striker from travelling with the team and playing for an extended period of time.
“Last week we obviously lost two players, Cassidy and Gabby Hollar. Both most likely (for) the season,” Peters said.
“Gabby’s got a series of blood clots, which is just super random. She’s going to be on some medication that’s going to keep her out from flying, and unfortunately playing.
“Cassidy has got a grade 2B quad (injury) – that means she’ll be out for about eight weeks, and there’s only nine matches to go. Just keep adding to the list of injuries – we’ve seen them all this year, it’s pretty interesting. I should probably be a doctor after this year.”
Peters also confirmed mid-season signing Caitlin Doeglas is set to return to full-time teaching before the end of the month, in another blow to the West Australian side.
Doeglas returned to the club mid-season after a four-year absence and scored in her comeback game against Sydney FC in January. She scored two more goals in Perth’s win over Brisbane to take her tally to three goals from five games since arriving on an injury-replacement contract.
“She’s probably got two matches left with us, which is going to be pretty sad because she’s done really well for us,” Peters said.
“So that’s a bit disappointing for us. But she’s done great, and she looks at it as a real positive. She’s changed the narrative around what her memories of Glory are, in terms of finishing on a good note and hopefully, we can have a spot for her next season, which I’ve spoken to her about.
“We’ve just got to look at what that looks like with her work and that sort of stuff. But hopefully we can bring her back in because she’s done brilliantly.”
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Peters is set to welcome Ischia Brooking and Kelli Brown back from injury this week for the trip to Adelaide to take on the Reds. The Glory coach also revealed star midfielder Susan Phonsongkham is expected to return for the final three games of the regular season after a long injury layoff.
Phonsongkham suffered an ankle injury while playing for Preston Lions in the NPLW Victoria Grand Final in September and is yet to return to play.
“I think she’ll probably look at being involved in the last three games, I’d say, is what she’s on track to do. I don’t want to put too much pressure on her but we’d love to see her out there just to get a gauge as to where she’s at, and look to next year for her. So that’s a positive for us.
“Getting the two girls back (Brooking and Brown) is good. (Isobel) Dalton got through the (Canberra) game which is good, so fingers crossed we’ve actually got some bodies now.”
WEEKEND PREVIEW: What you need to know for Round 15 of the Ninja A-League
