Injury to Hernandez not ideal way for Phoenix to see in the NewYear
Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta 9pm today
( from): A Covic, A D’Apuzzo, M Spiranovic, N ToporStanley, J Polenz, M Poljak, I La Rocca, S Ono, Y Hersi, L Haliti, T Juric, J Tyson, Ml Beauchamp, D Heffernan, T Minniecon, J Trifiro, K Appiah, B Santalab Phoenix ( from): G Moss, M Muscat, A Durante, B Sigmund, L Fenton, A Riera, V Lia, K Cunningham, J Hicks, S Huysegems, M Boxall, J Brockie, L Italiano, M Ridenton, LBertos, T Boyd, J Brindell- South Ernie Merrick was putting on a brave face yesterday but the reality is that the Phoenix’s path to the finals has become significantly steeper, following news that Carlos Hernandez will be sidelined for six weeks.
The Costa Rican playmaker flew home to Wellington yesterday after X- rays revealed a fractured wrist and he will undergo surgery this week.
Hernandez suffered the injury early in Friday’s 1- 0 win over Melbourne Heart but played on. It was initially thought to be just a sprain.
The setback means Merrick is without his two most creative players, with Paul Ifill already sidelined for the season with a ruptured Achilles.
Stein Huysegems has filled in for Hernandez in the midfield this season but Merrick is now reluctant to move the Belgian striker, who has scored in his past two games.
Jason Hicks is the likely replacement for tonight’s game against the Western Sydney Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium.
But, while he has some skill and fast feet, the young Kiwi does not possess the same vision or experience as Hernandez, who leads the Phoenix with four goal assists this season.
‘‘ He’s
pretty
devastated
because it’s a World Cup year for Costa Rica,’’ Merrick said.
‘‘ But if he gets the surgery done quickly, he’ll recover faster and will still be available for eight, nine games in the A- League. We’ve lost a couple of key players, Paul and Carlos, but that’s why you have a squad of 22. Stein has scored four goals for us so you’re robbing that scenario.
‘‘ It’ll be more likely one of our upand- coming young players coming into that role. I think we’ll cover it quite well.’’
Louis Fenton ( shoulder) trained well yesterday but a decision on the right back’s fitness will be made today.
With two straight wins, the ninthplaced Phoenix remain positive despite the Hernandez news and plan to take the game to the secondplaced Wanderers.
Merrick is remaining patient with out- of- sorts striker Jeremy Brockie, who hasn’t scored since round four.
The coach believed Brockie’s work rate had been terrific and was
Peter
to pay Paul
in urging him to try to focus on scoring tap- ins, rather than screamers.
‘‘ The best thing he can do is not be concerned about creating all his own chances and scoring screamers from distance. He just has to rely on the delivery and service, which he may or may not have got last year. But he’ll get it this year – if he gets in the right areas he’ll find that some of the goals are far easier to score than some of the rockets.’’
Merrick also waved away concerns about playing at Pirtek Stadium despite recent fan violence.
At least eight supporters were admitted to hospital in Melbourne on Saturday following a street brawl between Wanderers and Victory fans.
‘‘ There’s always a small percentage of fans that don’t do the right thing but the fans at Pirtek Stadium have been terrific towards us,’’ Merrick said.
‘‘ They create a great atmosphere at the stadium and I’m looking forward to that. I don’t think there’s any animosity towards our fans, and the small percentage that misbehave don’t seem to do it when we’re playing.’’
The Phoenix have held the Wanderers to two draws this season.
Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic is set to roll out the heavy artillery, with Shinji Ono, Tomi Juric and Michael Beauchamp returning to bolster the side that drew 1- 1 with the Victory.