Tony Popovic has named his squad for Saturday’s Hyundai A-League Round 18 match against Wellington Phoenix at Yarrow Stadium.
There are five additions to the side: Shannon Cole, Bruno Piñatares and Steven Lustica have all been promoted; defender Aritz Borda returns having served his three-match suspension; while new signing Ryan Griffiths is in line to make his debut after joining the Club earlier this week.
Three players from last week’s squad won’t be making the trip to New Plymouth: Scott Neville will serve his one-match suspension after being sent off last week; Lachlan Scott sits out having spent the best part of the week in camp with the Australia U23s; and vice-captain Mitch Nichols will have to wait at least another week to make his 200th Hyundai A-League appearance after not being named in the traveling party.
Ryan Griffiths, who will wear the number 29 shirt, returns to the Hyundai A-League after a three-year absence playing in Malaysia and China.
The striker’s last match in the Hyundai A-League was also against Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand, where he turned out for Adelaide United in Round 17 of the 2013/14 season.
Saturday will be the third meeting between the two sides this season, following the Wanderers’ 3-2 in the Westfield FFA Cup in August and the 2-2 at in Round 11 of the Hyundai A-League.
Tony Popovic’s side will look to bounce back after last week’s loss to Brisbane, while Wellington will be hunting for their fifth home win of the season following a 2-2 draw with Adelaide in Round 17.
Wellington sit one point above the Wanderers on the ladder in seventh and both sides will be gunning for victory knowing that three points could catapult them into the top six.
Wellington Phoenix vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday 4 February, 5:35pm
Yarrow Stadium
TV: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505
Radio: ABC Grandstand, Hawkesbury Radio
Online: Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #WELvWSW
Western Sydney Wanderers FC Squad: 1.Jerrad TYSON (gk), 2.Shannon COLE, 3.Jack CLISBY, 5.Brendan HAMILL, 7.Steven LUSTICA, 8.DIMAS (c), 10.Nicolás MARTÍNEZ, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 13.Bruno PIÑATARES, 14.Jumpei KUSUKAMI, 15.Kearyn BACCUS, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 17.Aritz BORDA, 18.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (gk), 22.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 24.Terry ANTONIS, 29. Ryan GRIFFITHS
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 2.Shannon COLE (promoted), 7.Steven LUSTICA (promoted), 13.Bruno PIÑATARES (promoted), 17.Aritz BORDA (returns from suspension), 29. Ryan GRIFFITHS (new signing)
Outs: 6.Mitch NICHOLS (not selected), 12.Scott NEVILLE (suspended – 1 match), 23.Lachlan SCOTT (not selected)
Unavailable: Nil
