Rojas to miss A-League Wanderers trip
Dec 8, 2016 - 6:35 AM Melbourne Victory have been dealt a savage blow ahead of their away clash with Western Sydney on Saturday night, with star A-League man Marco Rojas unable to make the trip.And the 'Kiwi Messi' is in a race against time to be fit for next weekend's Melbourne derby after suffering hamstring tightness in Victory's last-out draw with Perth Glory.
Having provided the assist for Besart Berisha's equaliser, Rojas appeared slightly troubled by a leg issue in the late stages of the match.
Subsequent scans have revealed a small issue that will require a one to two week lay-off, making him touch and go for the December 17 derby at AAMI Park.
No player has been involved - as either goalscorer (five) or assister (five) - in more A-League goals this season than Rojas.
Rojas hasn't trained with the main Victory group this week, restricted to light duties.
With Mitch Austin (ankle) also unable to take his place for the ANZ Stadium date, coach Kevin Muscat has three wide attacker options for the two positions.
Fahid Ben Khalfallah looks a certainty to start on one wing, with young gun Jai Ingham and German loanee Max Beister competing for the other.
Muscat has sung Ingham's praises in recent weeks after enjoying his best game of the season against the Wanderers in round six.
The 23-year-old ex-Hume City attacker set up a goal and scored another in the 3-0 win, which was also Beister's debut for Victory.
There's no doubting Beister's pedigree as an ex-Germany under-23 national team member but Saturday night's match might come too soon for his first start for Victory given his long lay-off with knee injuries.
At least Muscat has a full complement of defenders available to him, with Nick Ansell (knee) proving his fitness and Daniel Georgievski available for selection.
Stefan Nigro has also been added to an extended squad for the match.
Source: AAP
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