VICTORY pariah Ljubo Milicevic's future at Melbourne looks over after a new double blow from coach Ernie Merrick.
To see today Melbourne training session...
Milicevic was finally allowed back into training this week after a ten day suspension for missing breakfast after their 4-1 hammering against Adelaide.
But despite the training ban having been lifted, Milicevic is apparently still out of favour at the club and almost certainly on his way out.
He was dropped from this weekend's game against Newcastle Jets with a knee injury despite recovering enough to start in the Adelaide match, and working out at training today with the injury strapped up.
And according to coach Ernie Merrick, the once-lauded defender is no longer even counted as being part of the club's best XI.
The Adelaide game had marked Ljubo's return to the Victory first team after being knocked out with a knee injury in the first game of the season.
Despite playing the full game in the thumping 4-1 defeat, the club now says Ljubo is suffering another knee injury, ruling him out for this weekend's game.
Merrick later said Milicevic had ruled himself out with the knee injury and the physios had confirmed it.
However skipper Kevin Muscat will return to the Melbourne side to face Newcastle after missing the last two games with his own knee knack.
Victory coach Merrick is confident his captain has now overcome his injuries and will lead the side out against the third placed Jets.
But there's no place again for young midfielder Kaz Patafta who has also been dropped from the squad for the game.
“Kevin will definitely be playing,” Merrick said. “I would say that we’ll probably get our best 11 out, apart from Daniel Piorkowski.
“Unfortunately this is the tenth time we’ve had to change our first 11 and getting that consistent team week in, week out is what all coaches want.”
Muscat expects to take his place in the midfield after performing well throughout the team’s three training sessions this week.
“I’m looking forward to playing football again. I’ve missed it over the last couple of weeks,” Muscat said.
A win for Victory will see it move above Newcastle and possibly to the top of the Hyundai A-League ladder, depending on other results.
“It’s an opportunity for us to gain three points on them,” Muscat added.
“I still remember that beating they gave us at the end of last season which didn’t really mean much in terms of the league and the standings, but there was a lot of pride dented that night and I don’t think we’ve fully repaid them for that.”
The match is also of extra significance for Steve Pantelidis, who will become the second player to make 50 appearances for Victory.
The durable defender made his debut in Victory’s inaugural Hyundai A-League match against Sydney FC in August 2005 and was named The Age Young Player of the Year for his efforts last season.
“Steve Pantelidis has done a great job,” Merrick said.
“He’s just a stalwart, he’s always there and he’s so reliable.”
To see today Melbourne training session...
Milicevic was finally allowed back into training this week after a ten day suspension for missing breakfast after their 4-1 hammering against Adelaide.
But despite the training ban having been lifted, Milicevic is apparently still out of favour at the club and almost certainly on his way out.
He was dropped from this weekend's game against Newcastle Jets with a knee injury despite recovering enough to start in the Adelaide match, and working out at training today with the injury strapped up.
And according to coach Ernie Merrick, the once-lauded defender is no longer even counted as being part of the club's best XI.
The Adelaide game had marked Ljubo's return to the Victory first team after being knocked out with a knee injury in the first game of the season.
Despite playing the full game in the thumping 4-1 defeat, the club now says Ljubo is suffering another knee injury, ruling him out for this weekend's game.
Merrick later said Milicevic had ruled himself out with the knee injury and the physios had confirmed it.
However skipper Kevin Muscat will return to the Melbourne side to face Newcastle after missing the last two games with his own knee knack.
Victory coach Merrick is confident his captain has now overcome his injuries and will lead the side out against the third placed Jets.
But there's no place again for young midfielder Kaz Patafta who has also been dropped from the squad for the game.
“Kevin will definitely be playing,” Merrick said. “I would say that we’ll probably get our best 11 out, apart from Daniel Piorkowski.
“Unfortunately this is the tenth time we’ve had to change our first 11 and getting that consistent team week in, week out is what all coaches want.”
Muscat expects to take his place in the midfield after performing well throughout the team’s three training sessions this week.
“I’m looking forward to playing football again. I’ve missed it over the last couple of weeks,” Muscat said.
A win for Victory will see it move above Newcastle and possibly to the top of the Hyundai A-League ladder, depending on other results.
“It’s an opportunity for us to gain three points on them,” Muscat added.
“I still remember that beating they gave us at the end of last season which didn’t really mean much in terms of the league and the standings, but there was a lot of pride dented that night and I don’t think we’ve fully repaid them for that.”
The match is also of extra significance for Steve Pantelidis, who will become the second player to make 50 appearances for Victory.
The durable defender made his debut in Victory’s inaugural Hyundai A-League match against Sydney FC in August 2005 and was named The Age Young Player of the Year for his efforts last season.
“Steve Pantelidis has done a great job,” Merrick said.
“He’s just a stalwart, he’s always there and he’s so reliable.”
To see today Melbourne training session...
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