Melbourne City has confirmed our squad for Friday night’s return to Isuzu UTE A-League action, as Aurelio Vidmar’s side prepares for a challenging away trip to Coopers Stadium to face Adelaide United.
After a valuable weekend off during the international break, City enters a demanding stretch of fixtures that includes another AFC Champions League Elite clash at home next Tuesday. Despite the busy schedule ahead, Vidmar receives several timely boosts to his squad for the clash in Adelaide.
Captain Aziz Behich has been cleared to return from the hamstring issue that sidelined him for the past three matches, providing an ideal replacement for Nathaniel Atkinson, who unfortunately misses out after suffering a hamstring injury in the recent Melbourne Derby win.
City is also strengthened in the attacking third with Medin Memeti named for the first time this season, the young winger overcoming a pre-season hamstring setback to rejoin the squad and add another sharp option in the front half.
19-year-old defender Ryan Kalms rounds out the inclusions after being promoted to the extended squad following strong training performances.
A key focus on Friday will be the availability of Patrick Beach and Kai Trewin, who are due to link up with the team in Adelaide on Friday morning after completing international duty with the Socceroos in the United States.
Beach earned Player of the Match honours on debut against Venezuela, while Trewin played significant minutes across both fixtures, and both will be assessed upon arrival to determine the extent of their involvement after the long-haul travel and quick turnaround.
Speaking to media on Thursday, Vidmar also provided a positive update on several sidelined senior players, confirming that Mathew Leckie, Samuel Souprayen, and Elbasan Rashani are all expected to push for selection in the coming weeks as they work back from hamstring injuries.
Round 5 ALM Squad
1. Patrick BEACH (GK), 4. Liam BONETIG, 10. Takeshi KANAMORI, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 17. Max CAPUTO, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 20. Ben MAZZEO, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 27. Kai TREWIN, 30. Andreas KUEN, 33. Dakota OCHSENHAM (GK), 35. Medin MEMETI, 36. Harry SHILLINGTON, 37. Peter ANTONIOU, 38. Beckham BAKER, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 44. Besian KUTLESHI, 45. Ryan KALMS, 47. Kavian RAHMANI.
In: 16. Aziz BEHICH, 35. Medin MEMETI (both return from injury), 45. Ryan KALMS (promoted).
Out: 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON (hamstring).
Unavailable: 7. Mathew LECKIE (hamstring), 11. Elbasan RASHANI (hamstring), 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON (hamstring), 21. Alessandro LOPANE (ankle), 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN (hamstring), 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (ACL), 41. Lawrence WONG (MCL).
