Melbourne City FC will be boosted by the return of Socceroos star Tim Cahill ahead of Saturday night’s massive Melbourne Derby at Etihad Stadium.
Fresh from another match-winning performance in Tuesday night’s crucial World Cup play-off against Syria, Cahill returns to the extended matchday squad to provide Head Coach Warren Joyce with a selection headache in attack.
It remains to be seen what role the 37-year-old will play in Saturday’s Derby after Cahill featured for the entire 120 minutes in Sydney. The Socceroos forward will provide added competition for places in the final third alongside Scottish striker Ross McCormack, who impressed on his debut in Friday night’s 2-0 win over Brisbane.
Neil Kilkenny is fit after missing Round 1 and also returns to the extended team – which will be trimmed to 16 ahead of kick-off – while marquee midfielder Marcin Budzinski is also in the selection mix after making his league debut as a late substitute against the Roar.
South American duo Fernando Brandan and Bruno Fornaroli are again absent they continue to recover from their respective long-term injuries.
Joyce could provide further updates on how his squad is shaping up during his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.
Melbourne City FC Squad: 1. Dean Bouzanis, 2. Manny Muscat, 3. Scott Jamieson, 5. Bart Schenkeveld, 6. Osama Malik, 7. Nick Fitzgerald, 8. Neil Kilkenny, 9. Marcelo Carrusca, 11. Bruce Kamau, 12. Braedyn Crowley, 13. Stefan Mauk, 17. Tim Cahill, 18. Eugene Galekovic, 22. Michael Jakobsen, 25. Iacopo La Rocca, 26. Luke Brattan, 27. Marcin Budzinski, 44. Ross McCormack
Ins: 8. Neil Kilkenny (promoted), 17.Tim Cahill (returns from international duty)
Outs: nil
Unavailable: 23. Bruno Fornaroli (ankle).
