History is on Wellington Phoenix’s side as they look to close in on the top six against Brisbane Roar on Thursday night.
The Phoenix are 10th and six points adrift of the finals positions, though they have two games in hand on sixth-placed Macarthur Bulls.
As for bottom side Brisbane, they have only won once this season though that sole win came on the road against Sydney FC.
Thursday’s fixture takes place on Waitangi Day, a New Zealand national holiday that commemorates the signing of the nation’s founding document. It’s the club’s second Waitangi Day fixture following last season’s special occasion at Sky Stadium in which more than 12,000 fans showed out to watch the club take on eventual Champions Central Coast Mariners.
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The Phoenix are set to welcome back New Zealand international Tim Payne to the selection fold after an injury layoff, Italiano revealed pre-game, although the experienced full-back is not expected to start against the Roar at Sky Stadium.
“The risk that we have with starting Tim at the moment is that there could be a higher risk, if he plays a lot of minutes, and that’s also due to the amount of training he’s been available for the last couple of weeks.
“I think probably more of a cameo role off the bench and integrating him over the next couple of weeks, build his loads and make sure he’s fit for the last stretch of games.”
Brisbane, meanwhile, have named new signing Austin Ludwik ahead of what could be his Isuzu UTE A-League debut. The 27-year-old two-time NPL Queensland Player of the Year joined the club from Gold Coast Knights this week, having captained his NPL side to two Premierships and two Championships.
The former Roar youth player’s availability for Thursday’s game against the Phoenix is subject to domestic clearance.
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Team news: Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Paulo RETRE, 9. Hideki ISHIGE, 15. Isaac HUGHES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 19. Sam SUTTON, 23. Luke SUPYK, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 36. Xuan LOKE, 39. Jayden SMITH, 41. Nathan WALKER, 46. Lachlan CANDY
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 6. Tim PAYNE (returning from injury)
Outs: 44. Daniel MAKOWEM (omitted)
Unavailable: 11. Stefan COLAKOVSKI (injured), 14. Alex RUFER (c) (illness), 17. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES (injured), 21. Marco ROJAS (injured)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Macklin FREKE (GK), 3. Corey BROWN, 6. Austin LUDWIK, 7. Rafael STRUICK, 8. Walid SHOUR, 10. Florin BERENGUER, 13. Henry HORE, 14. Pearson KASAWAYA, 15. Hosine BIILITY, 17. Nathan AMANATIDIS, 18. Jacob BRAZETE, 19. Jack HINGERT, 21. Antonee BURKE-GILROY, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 24. Sam KLEIN, 26. Jay O’SHEA (C), 27. Ben HALLORAN, 29. Matt ACTON (GK), 35. Louis ZABALA, 43. Adam ZIMARINO
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 6. Austin LUDWIK (subject to Domestic Clearance), 14. Pearson KASAWAYA, 17. Nathan AMANATIDIS
Outs: 2. Scott NEVILLE, 12. Lucas HERRINGTON
Unavailable: 4. Ben WARLAND (knee)
