Gold Coast United skipper Michael Thwaite is in doubt for their Boxing Day derby against Brisbane Roar.
Gold Coast United skipper Michael Thwaite is in doubt for their Boxing Day derby against Brisbane Roar.
The 28-year-old copped a heavy knock to his ankle in the first half of his side’s 3-0 win in Adelaide and is waiting on scans late on Monday for the full picture.
But the former Melbourne Victory and Socceroos defender said he wouldn’t take part in Monday’s Boxing Day derby against Brisbane Roar unless he was 100 per cent.
“I’m going to be smart about it – I don’t want to let the team down if I’m not available to play,” Thwaite said.
“I’ve had a lot of ankle injuries previously so it’s not as bad as those ones.”
If he is restricted to the sidelines, it looks highly likely he’ll have some company with New Zealand international goalkeeper Glen Moss absent from training on Monday morning.
Moss was seeking medical advice for his adductor problem, which saw him substituted in the second half of Gold Coast’s victory over the Reds.
Reports claimed he could be out for as much as two months, but Thwaite said that wouldn’t be the case.
“Every doctor likes to cover themselves by saying four to eight weeks, but who knows what it will be,” he said.
“Whether or not he’ll need an operation, the doctor and the scans will reveal, but I think Mossy is a positive character and always does his rehab properly.”
“We’ll definitely miss him, but (second-choice keeper) Jerrad Tyson was fantastic. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a keeper cameo like that while I’ve been playing.”
“In the short period he had to play and the pressure he was under from the Adelaide fans, he did everything really safely and is always very vocal at training – I’m sure he’ll bring that to the game on Monday.”
United will be without Ante Rozic after the towering Croatian stopper picked up two yellow cards at Hindmarsh – but they will be able to regain the services of Jonas Salley, who returns from suspension.
“Also, Kristian Rees is probably in career-best form over the past couple of weeks,” Thwaite added.
Despite their fitness concerns, the boys from the Glitter Strip have reason to be confident heading into Boxing Day, but their captain knows the Roar present a massive challenge, despite a club-record four losses in a row.
“I personally think they’re still the best team in the league. But they’re suffering a bit mentally and we might have a bit of an advantage,” Thwaite said.
“They’re playing well, but with the high-risk football they play, sometimes they’re going to cop some goals from individual mistakes and errors.”
“Those errors weren’t being punished before… teams are starting to learn about those and punish them.”
“I know Ange won’t change a thing, he’ll keep motivating the players and keep to their structure – but I’m pretty sure we can do the job against them on Monday.”
