Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip has recalled midfielder Wayne Srhoj ahead of the side’s clash with Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip has recalled midfielder Wayne Srhoj ahead of the side-s clash with Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night.
Srhoj, 29, was overlooked for selection against the Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park on Sunday, despite featuring in Heart-s drought breaking 1-0 win over Gold Coast United a fortnight ago.
But with van ‘t Schip boasting depth a plenty in midfield, Srhoj was forced to the sidelines, albeit temporarily, as first-choice players Fred and Matt Thompson returned to the fray, while Michael Marrone was deployed in a four-man diamond last weekend.
However, the expiry of Paul Reid-s short term deal at the Club has paved the way for Srhoj to earn an instant recall to the match day squad as Heart looks to consolidate its finals charge with a win over the competition-s form side.
Srhoj has found himself on the periphery of Heart-s first team for much of this season, with injury and form conspiring to limit the former Australian youth international to 12 appearances this season.
Meanwhile, Australian Under 23 star Jason Hoffman has also been named to Heart-s extended 16-man squad travelling to Queensland.
The attacking midfielder was unavailable for selection last week after falling ill only days following his return from the United Arab Emirates, having started for the Green and Gold in its AFC Asian Qualifiers for the 2012 London Games in Tashkent and Dubai.
Hoffman will provide van ‘t Schip with an additional attacking option as the Dutchman looks guide Heart towards a repeat of its Suncorp Stadium heroics in December last year, when Jonatan Germano and Eli Babalj found the back of the net in a record snapping 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar.
That result, in addition to Heart-s 1-1 draw with Ange Postecoglou-s side last month, will no doubt embolden the Red and White, fuelling hopes the side can once again turn the Hyundai A-League on its head and rocket into AFC Champions League contention.
Melbourne Heart FC Squad
1.Clint Bolton (gk), 2.Michael Marrone, 3.Brendan Hamill, 4.Simon Colosimo, 5.Fred ©, 6.Matt Thompson, 7.Rutger Worm, 10.Wayne Srhoj, 11.Alex Terra, 13.Jonatan Germano, 15.David Williams, 16.Aziz Behich, 17.Jason Hoffman, 18.Curtis Good, 19.Eli Babalj, 23.Mate Dugandzic, 30.Sebastian Mattei (gk) *one to be omitted
