Promising Academy graduate Sarpreet Singh could be in the frame for his first minutes of the season in the Hyundai A-League with head coach Darije Kalezić rewarding the youngster for good form in the ISPS Handa Premiership.
Singh joins fellow teenager Logan Rogerson in the travelling squad that heads to Australia, with the young All White’s own goalscoring run for Phoenix Reserves having caught the eye in New Zealand’s top football competition.
Injury has prevented both Roy Krishna and Michael McGlinchey from travelling with both picking up knocks during the game against Melbourne Victory with Gui Finkler not selected.
After two disappointing home results head coach Kalezić has spoken openly and frankly with the playing group, and will look to see a response from his chargers.
After their spirited comeback against the Phoenix in Round 4 Roar have enjoyed a strong run of form, losing just once in their past six games, but face a host of injuries problems of their own with all three first-choice centre backs out injured.
It will be Phoenix’s 8th visit to Robina on the Gold Coast, where the Nix enjoy a better record than at Brisbane’s home ground at Suncorp Stadium, having won three of the eight games played at CBUS Stadium.
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 2.Daniel MULLEN, 3.Scott GALLOWAY, 4.Goran PARACKI, 8.Dario VIDOSIC, 9.Andrija KALUDJEROVIC, 11.Hamish WATSON, 12.Adam PARKHOUSE, 13.Marco ROSSI, 14.Alex RUFER, 16.Ali ABBAS, 18. Sarpreet SINGH, 19.Tom DOYLE, 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 23.MATTHEW RIDENTON, 24. Logan ROGERSON, 30.Keegan SMITH (gk)
**one to be omitted**
Ins: Sarpreet SINGH (promoted), Logan ROGERSON (promoted)
Outs: Michael McGLINCHEY (groin), Roy KRISHNA (knee)
Unavailable: 6.Dylan FOX (hamstring)
Brisbane Roar squad: 2.Dane INGHAM, 4.Daniel BOWLES, 5.Corey BROWN, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 9.Massimo MACCARONE, 11.Corey GAMEIRO, 14.Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH, 16.Mitchell OXBORROW, 17.Matt MCKAY (c), 18.Joe CALETTI, 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG, 22.Eric BAUTHEAC, 24.Connor O’TOOLE, 26.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 31.Brendan WHITE (gk), 33.Petros SKAPETIS, 77.Ivan FRANJIC
**one to be omitted**
Ins: 14. Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH (promoted), 2.Dane INGHAM (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 1.Michael THEO (gk) (finger – 2 weeks), 3.Luke DEVERE (knee – 10 weeks), 6.Avram PAPADOPOULOS (suspended), 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN (hamstring – 1-2 weeks), 10.Brett HOLMAN (knock – 1 week) 13.Jade NORTH (groin – 1 week), 20.Shannon BRADY (broken foot – TBC)
Match Details:
Round 10: Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix, CBUS Super Stadium, Robina
Saturday, 9 December (4:35pm KO AEDT/7.35pm NZT)
Watch around New Zealand on Sky Sport 4, from 7.30pm.
