City happy as outsider against league leader

COACH Warren Joyce says Melbourne City is the underdog for tonight’s game against A-League leader Perth Glory as it searches for an attacker.

Forward Dario Vidosic (back) remains sidelined, while midfielder Osama Malik will miss after he limped off in the loss to Central Coast. Joyce will tread warily with Florin Berenguer after a posi- tive late cameo in his return from injury, with the Frenchman set to come off the bench.

It will leave City with another patchwork front third at AAMI Park tonight against a Glory side that is nine points ahead, as Joyce and City Football Group chiefs search for a replacement for departed Scot Michael O’Halloran.

“There’s movement there, obviously with a limited amount of money you’ve got to be creative,” the coach said.

“We’re trying to utilise that money the best way we can to bring someone who might be able to help not just now but in the future as well.

“You relish it. You’re a player or manager, you want to play games.

“We’re playing as the underdog for a change. It’s a six-pointer, there’s no hiding behind that.

“They’ve hurt teams with rotations and they’re capable of scoring goals.”

Harrison Delbridge returns with Joyce considering playing him at stopper or right-back as he works without a recognised striker, while juggling Ritchie de Laet’s injury concerns.

Matthew Spiranovic and Diego Castro could come in for Glory, along with Jason Davidson and Neil Kilkenny. Coach Tony Popovic is rotating the squad amid a heavy schedule.