Western Sydney Wanderers are still clinging to the hope that striker Mark Bridge will be passed fit for Sunday’s Hyundai A-League Grand Final.
Western Sydney Wanderers are still clinging to the hope that Mark Bridge will be passed fit for Sunday-s Hyundai A-League Grand Final but Michael Beauchamp will not be in the starting XI, according to coach Tony Popovic.
“We-re very close,” Popovic said when asked about his starting XI.
“The only one is Bridgey [Mark Bridge] that we need to have another look at today to make sure he-s okay.
“If he-s okay today then the eleven is settled in my mind.”
Bridge has struggled all week with an ankle injury picked up in last week’s semi final win over Central Coast. The attacker wasn’t named in the Wanderers original squad for Sunday’s Grand Final.
Defender Nikolai-Topor Stanley appeared with Popovic for Saturday-s official pre-game press confererence, with his appearance confirming that it will be him and not captain Michael Beauchamp leading out the Wanderers at Suncorp on Sunday.
“It-s great to be one game away from a championship,” said Topor-Stanley.
“Two grand finals in two years is testament to all the hard work we-ve put in all year. It feels great,” the former Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets defender said.
The Wanderers- pair-s late arrival at the official pre-game press conference appeared to cause some tension. Brisbane-s Mike Mulvey and Matt Smith began without their opponent.
But Popovic played it down when asked by the media. “It doesn-t faze me. I didn-t even think of it that way. But no problem at all.”
Roar trained on Saturday morning with striker Dimi Petratos, who-d been under an injury cloud all week, said to be moving freely.
However, Liam Miller trained lightly away from the main group after he had scans this week on a groin complaint.
Sunday, 4 May 2014
Hyundai A-League 2014 Grand Final
Brisbane Roar v Western Sydney Wanderers
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 4.00pm local (AEST)
Gates Open: 2:00pm
TV broadcast: 3.00pm (AEST) Live coverage on FOX Sports 2 HD & 2. Delayed coverage on SBS 2 & SBSHD from 4:30pm (AEST).Live Coverage on Sky Sport 4 (New Zealand).
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