Melbourne Victory will make at least three changes for Saturday’s important clash against Perth Glory at AAMI Park.
Melbourne Victory will make at least three changes for Saturday’s important clash against Perth Glory at AAMI Park.
The hosts can confirm their place in the top three with a win over the Western Australians, who are themselves battling for a place in the top six.
Victory have already won the first two clashes between them this season but will be without Socceroos Archie Thompson and Mark Milligan and New Zealand international Marco Rojas, plus the injured Adama Traore.
But, in a timely boost, attacker Marcos Flores is back after spending a fortnight sidelined with a back injury and captain Adrian Leijer returns from suspension for the match that kicks off at 5.30pm.
Coach Ange Postecoglou said Flores, who has scored three goals in his 19 appearances this campaign, would boost his side’s chances of banking the three points that would secure third spot on the table, but assured he was not being rushed back into the side.
“From our perspective it was probably a two-week injury that got out to three weeks because he had a little bit of setback so it’s not like we are fast tracking him, it’s gone according to plan and he feels okay,” he said.
Postecoglou said the fact Perth Glory would be fighting to keep their finals hopes alive meant Victory had to expect a desperate performance from last season’s grand finalists.
“I think they have changed their style of game, which naturally happens when a new coach comes in,” he said.
“But with them still being a chance of making finals I don’t expect anything too radical happening now.
“Alistair (Edwards) signing for three years gives them some real direction now and stability moving forward.
“His main priority will be to get his team into the finals to give his fans something to cheer about.
“So we’ve got to make sure we are at our best tomorrow to keep our own form going.”
Postecoglou said intensity at training had lifted this week as finals drew closer.
“You don’t want to go into finals having any doubts about form or having a flat spot,” he said.
“If we get continuation of our last three weeks we will be in pretty good shape.”
