Herd flew back to the UK at the start of the week to be with his partner for the birth of their second child.

The club confirmed baby Hunter enjoyed a healthy arrival and Herd is expected back in Sydney in the next few days.

 Meanwhile, skipper Robbie Cornthwaite will serve his one-match suspension after his dismissal against Adelaide.

There are three additions to the squad that travelled to Adelaide last week, with Jack Clisby and Jonathan Aspropotamitis coming to the side, along with Steven Lustica, who returns after a spell out through injury.

The match marks the first home game of the Josep Gombau era with a return to Sydney Olympic Park, having last played at home back in Round 2 against the Mariners.

In the pair’s 19 league meetings, each side has won six games with the points being shared on seven occasions.

It’ll also be the first time the two have clashed since last season’s nail-biting semi-final when the Roar prevailed in a penalty shoot-out. 

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Brisbane Roar
Saturday 2 December, 5:35pm
ANZ Stadium

TV: Live coverage on Fox Sports 501
Radio: ABC Grandstand, SWR Sport
Online: Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #WSWvBRI

Western Sydney Wanderers FC Squad: 3.Jack CLISBY, 4.Josh RISDON, 5.Brendan HAMILL, 6.Jacob MELLING, 7.Steven LUSTICA, 8.Roly BONEVACIA, 9.Oriol RIERA, 10.Alvaro CEJUDO, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 14.Jumpei KUSKAMI, 15.Kearyn BACCUS, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (gk), 22.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 24.Raul LLORENTE, 30.John HALL (gk), 33.Michael THWAITE
**two to be omitted**

Ins: 3.Jack CLISBY (promoted), 7.Steven LUSTICA (returns from injury), 22.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS (promoted)
Outs: 18.Robbie CORNTHWAITE (suspended – 1 match)
Unavailable: 1.Jerrad TYSON (gk) (shoulder), 25.Chris HERD (overseas)