MELBOURNE skipper Kevin Muscat and striker Danny Allsopp are looking in doubt for Victory's match against Queensland Roar.
For all the training ground action...
Victory named an extended squad of 17 to face Roar tomorrow night in Round 6 of the Hyundai A-League, with striker Danny Allsopp and captain Kevin Muscat both included, but may not feature in the clash.
Allsopp (ribs) and Muscat (knee) both trained today but left the pitch early just a day out from the 3rd vs 4th place matchup.
Allsopp missed last week’s thrilling 2-2 draw against Newcastle after sustaining two fractured ribs against Central Coast in Round 4, while Muscat picked up his injury in the dying stages of last week’s match.
Head Coach Ernie Merrick was also forced to leave out full back Matthew Kemp with a groin injury, calling in Kaz Patafta and Daniel Vasilevski to complete the squad.
"We're going to leave it until lunch time tomorrow," Merrick said today. "We've kept Kevin and Danny in the squad, but I have to say, it's not looking good for either of them."
"Kevin has a lateral tear and a slight nick on a lateral cartilage. Dan's just struggling to come up. I don't think the injury can get much worse if he plays, but it's being able to cope with a certain amount of discomfort, and with breathing," he said.
Merrick was confident the team could get up to secure its first win of the season, pointing to good performances so far as evidence that results would soon follow.
"We're creating chances, we're going forward. Last week we conceded one very good goal and the other one was a poor defensive error, but we continue to create good chances," he said.
One player Merrick does not have the luxury of picking for Friday night’s game is Collingwood forward Alan Didak, who donned the Navy blue and white V for a training session at Telstra Dome today.
Victory kicks off a huge weekend of football action, with the AFL and NRL Grand Finals following its Friday night match against the Roar.
Didak joined in a scratch match with the Victory team and took some shots against goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos.
“I followed the team throughout last season,” Didak said. “They had such a great year.
"This time around they’ve not won a game, but I’m sure they’ll be able to turn that around on Friday night against Queensland here at Telstra Dome.”
For all the training ground action...
Victory named an extended squad of 17 to face Roar tomorrow night in Round 6 of the Hyundai A-League, with striker Danny Allsopp and captain Kevin Muscat both included, but may not feature in the clash.
Allsopp (ribs) and Muscat (knee) both trained today but left the pitch early just a day out from the 3rd vs 4th place matchup.
Allsopp missed last week’s thrilling 2-2 draw against Newcastle after sustaining two fractured ribs against Central Coast in Round 4, while Muscat picked up his injury in the dying stages of last week’s match.
Head Coach Ernie Merrick was also forced to leave out full back Matthew Kemp with a groin injury, calling in Kaz Patafta and Daniel Vasilevski to complete the squad.
"We're going to leave it until lunch time tomorrow," Merrick said today. "We've kept Kevin and Danny in the squad, but I have to say, it's not looking good for either of them."
"Kevin has a lateral tear and a slight nick on a lateral cartilage. Dan's just struggling to come up. I don't think the injury can get much worse if he plays, but it's being able to cope with a certain amount of discomfort, and with breathing," he said.
Merrick was confident the team could get up to secure its first win of the season, pointing to good performances so far as evidence that results would soon follow.
"We're creating chances, we're going forward. Last week we conceded one very good goal and the other one was a poor defensive error, but we continue to create good chances," he said.
One player Merrick does not have the luxury of picking for Friday night’s game is Collingwood forward Alan Didak, who donned the Navy blue and white V for a training session at Telstra Dome today.
Victory kicks off a huge weekend of football action, with the AFL and NRL Grand Finals following its Friday night match against the Roar.
Didak joined in a scratch match with the Victory team and took some shots against goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos.
“I followed the team throughout last season,” Didak said. “They had such a great year.
"This time around they’ve not won a game, but I’m sure they’ll be able to turn that around on Friday night against Queensland here at Telstra Dome.”
For all the training ground action...
Related Articles
Fresh talent flock to ambitious A-League outfit's pro pathway
Why A-League 20/21 is crucial for Olyroos’ medal hopes
