Victory pair face tests for A-League derby
Dec 20, 2017 - 5:03 AM A-League veterans Mark Milligan and Leigh Broxham are yet to book their place in Saturday's Christmas derby for Melbourne Victory.A hamstring strain kept Milligan out of Sunday's 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar, with the Socceroo expected to recover in time for the weekend's A-League clash.
Coach Kevin Muscat has him on track to play in the match, but the 32-year-old has yet to complete a full training session - normal considered a pre-requisite to start.
"Millsy is going really well," Muscat told radio station SEN on Wednesday.
"He has trained very well and ticked every box at this stage but with muscular injuries you have to make sure you tick all those boxes.
"As soon as you don't tick one off the risk becomes too great. But at this point he is very good condition."
Broxham's condition is less serious but the Victory stalwart was reluctant to declare himself fully-fit.
The 29-year-old - who will make his 200th A-League start if selected by Muscat to face Melbourne City - came off at halftime against the Roar.
"I wasn't feeling too well and I had some muscle soreness. I was playing at 80 per cent," he told AAP.
"With (substitute Stefan Nigro) ready to go at 100 per cent, they were probably a better option at halftime.
"We were back on the track today and I did a little bit and I'm hoping I can get through everything later in the week."
Broxham backed Milligan to prove his fitness.
"He joined in for the most part today. He'll put his hand up to play I dare say," he said.
The pair's experience would be well-valued in the furnace of the derby.
No one has played in more derbies than Broxham, who is gunning to be a part of his 20th on Saturday at AAMI Park.
Broxham says two Victory records - their winless run in Melbourne this season, and the fact City are yet to win back-to-back derbies - would fire his side this week.
"That's what we've been speaking about for our season. Putting results together," he said.
"This will be the biggest test of that because it's a derby.
"We lost the first derby as well. We don't want to lose two in a row for us and our fans.
"We'll have thousands of fans there again and that's very important for our point of view."
Source: AAP
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