Glory's Castro set to miss Victory clash
Nov 17, 2017 - 4:32 PM Star Perth midfielder Diego Castro is set to miss Sunday's A-League clash with Melbourne Victory after succumbing to a calf injury.Castro picked up the injury on Friday at training, and almost certainly wouldn't be risked against Victory at nib Stadium.
Victory also suffered a big blow when midfielder Mitch Austin ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee at Friday training.
With Austin on the long-term injury list, Victory will consider signing a replacement player.
Glory's playing stocks have been depleted by a spate of injuries, with Scott Neville (groin) and Andreu Guerao (calf) the latest players to be sidelined, along with Castro.
Star striker Adam Taggart is expected to miss up to seven more weeks after tearing his hamstring last week at training, while Joel Chianese (collarbone) and Marc Warren (ankle) have been sidelined since the start of the season.
In contrast to Glory's dwindling stocks, Victory will be boosted with star duo Mark Milligan and James Troisi back from international duties.
Kosta Barbarouses is set to be rested after returning from Peru following NZ's World Cup qualifier loss.
Victory are winless after six rounds and sit second last on the table.
Glory are three points ahead in sixth spot and are desperate to bounce back from last week's 5-2 hammering by Wellington.
Coach Kenny Lowe said there was no reason to panic despite that bad result.
"If it was a structural situation, then that's a bit different. But individual stuff is individual," Lowe said.
"Those things are fixable.
"It's quite ironic. The week before, we had a clean sheet and looked really solid, and we think, 'Yeah, we're on the right track'.
"It's got a funny habit, this game, to hit you in the bollocks. So smile, work hard and get on with it."
Glory are yet to lose this season at home.
And despite Victory's recent struggles, Lowe said Kevin Muscat's men remained a formidable outfit.
"They've been in every single game they've played," Lowe said.
"They've got great depth as well.
"They'll be tough opposition as normal. Every game they've played, it hasn't been a cake walk for the team they've played."
STATS THAT MATTER:
* Perth have won their past three at nib Stadium against Victory, and six of their past 10
* Perth have conceded just 73 fouls this campaign; less than any other team, although they have also won the fewest fouls (51)
* Victory midfielder Brandon Wilson has a passing accuracy of 88 per cent in opposition territory this campaign, the best of any player to attempt at least 50 passes in that area
Source: AAP
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