Phoenix injury crisis in better health
Expect more game time for midfielders Bozhidar Kraev and Youstin Salas when the Wellington Phoenix host Adelaide United in A-League Men tomorrow afternoon.
Kraev returned from injury in the Phoenix’s 0-0 draw away to Perth Glory last weekend and was said by coach Giancarlo Italiano to be “closer to starting’’ than fellow visa player Oskar Zawada, who made his return off the bench in their previous outing, a 2-1 win away to Macarthur FC.
“Oz, because he’s had two injuries now, we have to be very, very mindful of his loading.
“BK came on against Perth and actually did quite well for half an hour, so we can extend his game time.’’
Italiano said more minutes were also on the cards for Costa Rican international Salas, who has made only two substitute appearances since being signed, but has impressed and left fans wanting more.
“It's now making sure that we load those players adequately so that we don’t put them at risk, and we’re also looking at having a full-strength squad going into the back end of the season.’’
There were also positive updates on leading goalscorer Kosta Barbarouses – in line to be back in the Phoenix’s matchday squad after being absent last week – and Sam Sutton – now training fully after having a cortisone injection in his ankle, and a chance to be back as well.
Midfielder Nico Pennington is the other player who has been on the injured list.
Italiano said that Pennington was “probably a little bit behind where we wanted him to be, in order for him to be back in contention for a starting spot, so we’re going to monitor him’’.
Italiano will have some decisions to make once everyone is available and fit enough to start, but he mostly seemed to be relishing the chance to pick horses for courses, rather than just make do with what he has available, as has been the case in recent weeks.
“The most important thing is that we have competition within the squad at training, which is very, very healthy.
“I still don’t know what my strongest XI is, because I think every game tactically sets up a different proposition, and some players are better suited to dealing with those problems.
“But I’m not one that likes to make a lot of changes. I like consistency. I believe in cohesion, I believe in team chemistry, and I think that’s fundamentally a part of why we’re winning games at the moment.’’
The Phoenix sit top of the A-League Men ladder heading into round 19, three points above the Central Coast Mariners, who are away to the Newcastle Jets in an F3 derby tonight.