Santalab missed Wanderers’ midweek AFC Champions League loss to Shanghai SIPG but was named in the squad to face Adelaide.

However, Wanderers coach Tony Popovic revealed on Friday that the striker, who netted the winner in the Sydney derby a fortnight ago, would be unavailable for the crucial match against Adelaide.

“We won’t have Brendon Santalab who’ll unfortunately miss this game due to a very minor injury,” Popovic said.

“It’s one that kept him out in China as well.”

Western Sydney currently sits sixth on the A-League ladder with six rounds to go, but only holds two-point buffer ahead of Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix.

Wanderers have lost their past three matches, conceding 11 goals in the process.

“We have to (move on),” Popovic said.

“Only just recently we had a great performance in the Sydney derby. We know that’s within us to do that.

“We know we haven’t been consistent enough. We haven’t put the performances together which usually marries well with results.

“We’ve got to start again after the Perth defeat. We have an opportunity now at home.

“We have some home games coming up where we can get some momentum.”