Midfielder in doubt for Phoenix after breaking nose with Ferns
BETSY Hassett played with a broken nose for the Football Ferns as they lost to Argentina on Thursday night and could yet be ruled out of the Wellington Phoenix’s A-League Women match in Auckland today.
Phoenix coach Natalie Lawrence said the veteran midfielder was also going through concussion protocols after being hit by Argentina striker Mariana Larroquette and that a final decision on her involvement would be made by the team doctor. The break itself was not a major concern.
Hassett received stitches on the field as play was halted for seven minutes during the second half of the Ferns’ 1-0 loss on Thursday at North Harbour Stadium.
Six Phoenix players have spent most of the last fortnight away on international duty with the Ferns, including fullback
Michaela Foster, who made her senior international debut against Argentina on Monday.
After starring for the Phoenix this season, Foster looked lively during her second-half cameo at left back, but wasn’t rewarded with a start in the rematch on Thursday, with right back Grace Neville getting the nod from coach Jitka Klimkova´ to switch flanks.
When asked what she made of that decision, Lawrence struck a diplomatic tone.
‘‘It’s quite easy to cast judgement when you’re not in the environment.
‘‘Everyone has their own opinions on who should be played.
‘‘I thought Mickey did really, really good when she came on both games and I’m sure that she’s somebody that will be in the frame for more minutes in the future.’’
The Ferns’ failure to score across any of their three matches this month – the first two a 5-0 loss to Portugal and a 2-0 loss to Argentina – has led to renewed calls for the Phoenix’s exciting teenage forward, Milly Clegg, to receive a callup.
Ahead of the February window both Klimkova´ and Lawrence had urged patience with regard to introducing Clegg, who is yet to turn 18, but has scored two goals in 512 minutes for the Phoenix this summer.
Lawrence said Clegg’s task would now be to add to her tally over the Phoenix’s last seven matches, which all take place before the next international window at the start of April.
‘‘I think she’s going to be somebody that scores a lot of goals for the Ferns.’’
The Phoenix are set to have attacking midfielder Alyssa Whinham available today for the first time in more than three months, as she has completed her return-to-play programme after taking time out for personal reasons.
Grace Wisnewski has trained
fully with the Phoenix after withdrawing from the Ferns for personal reasons two weeks ago, but fellow midfielder Izzy Gomez is out with a knee injury.
Captain and goalkeeper Lily
Alfeld remains out with a back injury and there is no timeline for her return, with just five weeks remaining in the regular season.
Third-placed Sydney FC are the form team among the top four in A-League Women and will be heavy favourites to claim three points from their first transTasman away trip.
The Phoenix head into the final stanza of the season looking to bridge the five-point gap between them and the 10thplaced Newcastle Jets in order to avoid the wooden spoon.