Melbourne Heart FC has named an extended 16-man squad for tomorrow afternoon’s match against Adelaide United at AAMI Park.
Melbourne Heart FC has named an extended 16-man squad for tomorrow afternoon-s match against Adelaide United at AAMI Park.
While captain Fred is the only omission after sustaining a groin injury, attackers David Williams and Maycon have been reintroduced into the fray and are in contention for a first team recall.
While Williams and Maycon featured heavily during the opening weeks of the campaign, the rise and rise of Dutch winger Rutger Worm and striker Eli Babalj have forced the duo to the sidelines, as Head Coach John van ‘t Schip faces the enviable problem of managing Heart-s significant attacking stocks.
Babalj has netted three times in five starts since earning his place in the match day squad while Worm has emerged as a key contributor since reclaiming a starting eleven spot on the Gold Coast in November.
Worm-s vision and pin-point crossing ability has made him a pivotal member of the Heart side, providing four assists in seven matches this season.
With Fred absent through injury, van ‘t Schip is likely to elevate Jason Hoffman to the starting eleven after the Novacastrian scored his first goal in Heart colours last week.
Hoffman-s pace, energy and physical strength would make him an imposing addition to the Heart midfield, pairing up with former Newcastle Jets team mate Matt Thompson in the middle of the park.
Squad v Adelaide United
1.Clint Bolton (GK), 2.Michael Marrone, 3.Brendan Hamill, 4. Simon Colosimo, 6.Matt Thompson, 7.Rutger Worm, 9.Maycon, 11.Alex Terra, 15.David Williams, 16.Aziz Behich, 17.Jason Hoffman, 18.Curtis Good, 19.Eli Babalj, 23.Mate Dugandzic, 25.Adrian Madaschi, 30.Sebastian Mattei (GK) *one to be omitted*
In: Maycon, David Williams (all promoted)
Out: Fred (groin 1-2 weeks)
Unavailable: Fred (groin 1-2 weeks), Jonatan Germano (hamstring – 1 week), Nick Kalmar (back – 4 weeks), Kliment Taseski (foot – indefinite), Wayne Srhoj (quad – 1 week)
