The Central Coast Mariners have recorded three wins in a row and Paul Okon has named his provisional squad ahead of Sunday’s clash against Melbourne Victory.
Hosting Kevin Muscat’s Melbourne Victory at Central Coast Stadium makes for a mouthwatering clash but the Yellow & Navy will need to do it without Nick Montgomery as the skipper was handed his fifth yellow card of the campaign last weekend against the Wanderers.
All eyes will be on the midfield to see who fills the void with options including shifting Liam Rose from centre back or a straight swap from last week’s bench in Adam Berry sure to be considered. However, the Mariners’ back four have been immense having only conceded one goal in the last three games and Okon will be reluctant to change a winning formula.
Providing defensive cover in his squad is the return of experienced stopper, Jacques Faty as well as Foxtel National Youth League young guns Steve Whyte & Reece Papadimitrios.
With Ferreira settling into his role as a number 10 – Connor Pain, Kwabena Appiah & Trent Buhagiar have again been battling it out for the two spots on the wing.
Blake Powell will be kept out of this weekend’s squad with the minor knee complaint that saw him withdrawn from the warm up in Canberra against Adelaide United.
In Nick Montgomery’s absence, Storm Roux is the most likely to don the captain’s armband.
Central Coast Mariners Squad: 1.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 2.Storm ROUX (c), 3.Scott GALLOWAY, 4.Jacob POSCOLIERO, 5.Harry ASCROFT, 7.Fabio FERREIRA, 9.Roy O’DONOVAN, 11.Connor PAIN, 12.Trent BUHAGIAR, 13.Kwabena APPIAH, 14.Adam BERRY, 16.Liam ROSE, 17.Josh BINGHAM, 19.Jacques FATY, 20.Paul IZZO (gk), 21.Michael NEILL, 22.Jake McGING, 24.Reece PAPADIMITRIOS, 26.Steve WHYTE
***Two to be omitted***
Ins: 19.Jacques FATY (return from injury), 21.Michael NEILL (promoted), 26.Steve WHYTE (promoted)
Unavailable: 10.Mickael TAVARES (ankle injury – indefinite), (23.Jake ADELSON (ACL – indefinite), 6.Blake POWELL (knee – 1 week)
Match Details
Hyundai A-League 2016/17 – Round 20
Sunday 19 February 2017
Central Coast Mariners vs. Melbourne Victory
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Tickets: CLICK HERE
kick-off: 5:00pm (AEDT)
Official hash-tags: #CCMvMVC & #CCMFC
TV Broadcast: Fox Sports 505
Radio Broadcast: 96.3 Coast FM & 92.5 ABC Central Coast
