Perth Glory arrived in New Zealand on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s do-or-die semi-final against the Wellington Phoenix but coach Dave Mitchell is still unsure of his starting line-up.
The road-weary Glory side is still waiting on the fitness of a number of key players following a gruelling season that has seen the Perth side travel extensively in recent weeks.
“There are a few guys we still have to wait and see how they pull up.” Mitchell said.
“Jacob Burns and Mile Sterjovski have both travelled with the squad but whether play is another story so we’ll just see how it pans out in the next day or two.”
Burns and Sterjovski have both missed the last three games after picking up injuries during Perth’s hectic schedule when the Glory were forced to play three games in six days.
Burns is recovering from a hamstring tear while Sterjovski has a back complaint but both players are expected to take some part in the first training session on New Zealand soil since the long flight from Perth via Melbourne.
“The boys are looking forward to our first training session on the park this afternoon and we’ll go through a couple of moves and then see how they’re feeling after that but the spirits are good and everyone is looking forward to the game,” Mitchell said.
Wellington has not lost at Westpac Stadium since October 2008, an unbeaten run stretching 17 games.
“Yeah they are confident. They haven’t lost at home in a long time. It’s a big game for them, they haven’t made the finals before and a packed house is expected. “
“They are supremely confident as they should be.”
But Perth’s form since Boxing Day has also been impressive with four wins and a draw.
“We have a self belief and confidence that we can get a result here and hopefully get a home final.”
