Wellington Phoenix will offset the loss of two key players, Michael McGlinchey and skipper Andrew Durante, to All Whites duty with the return of defensive duo Marco Rossi and Scott Galloway for the Hyundai A-League Round 6 match against Perth on Sunday.
It will mean another backline reshuffle as international call-ups and injury have undermined Phoenix’s efforts in getting a consistent back four on the pitch so far this season, but the experience of Rossi and Galloway should help tighten the defensive performance.
Fifth-placed Perth Glory arrive in decent form having overrun both Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide United in recent weeks but a late training injury may see striker Adam Taggart prevented from travelling.
Despite some poor form on the road, Phoenix head into this game having not lost at Westpac Stadium in 285 days, with head coach Darije Kalezić urging his side to make the Cake Tin a place Australian teams hate to visit once again.
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 2. Daniel MULLEN, 3. Scott GALLOWAY, 4. Goran PARACKI, 6. Dylan FOX, 7. Gui FINKLER, 8. Dario VIDOSIC, 9. Andrija KALUDJEROVIC, 11. Hamish WATSON, 12. Adam PARKHOUSE, 13. Marco ROSSI, 14. Alex RUFER, 17. Ali ABBAS, 19. Thomas DOYLE, 21. Roy KRISHNA, 23. Matthew RIDENTON, 24. Logan ROGERSON, 30. Keegan SMITH (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 3. Scott GALLOWAY (returns from injury), 13. Marco ROSSI (returns from injury)
Outs: 10. Michael McGLINCHEY (international duty), 22. Andrew DURANTE (international duty)
Unavailable: Nil
Perth Glory Squad: 2.Alex GRANT, 4.Shane LOWRY, 5.Jacob POSCOLIERO, 6.Mitch NICHOLS, 8.Xavi TORRES, 9.Andy KEOGH (c), 11. Mitch MALLIA, 13 Nick FEELY (GK), 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Joseph MILLS, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18. Andreu GUERAO, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 22.Adam TAGGART, 23.Scott NEVILLE, 29.Jeremy WALKER, 33.Liam REDDY (GK)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 5.Jacob POSCOLIERO (promoted), 16.Joseph MILLS (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 25.Daniel STYNES (hamstring 4-5 weeks), 7.Joel CHIANESE (collar bone – 3-4 weeks), 3.Marc WARREN (ankle 8-9 weeks)
Match details: Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory, Westpac Stadium, 4.30pm
Buy your tickets, here.
Don’t forget, if you have purchased All Whites tickets, to use the special code attached to your proof of purchase email to get 50% off matchday tickets for Sunday.
Also, official military ID holders receive entry free of charge as part of Wellington Phoenix’s Remembrance Round commemorations – simply show your ID on Sunday at Ticketek booths to receive your complimentary ticket.
