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Perth Glory’s wretched injury run has continued, with defender David Tarka and midfielder Naum Sekulovski ruled out of Friday night’s A-League match against Newcastle Jets.
Tarka played in the Glory’s 1-0 loss to Adelaide last week but has succumbed to a thigh strain, while Sekulovski has suffered a hamstring injury.
With central defender Hayden Foxe (foot) already ruled out of the first month of the season, Glory coach David Mitchell will once again be forced to rely on a makeshift defence.
Mitchell said he would take no risks with Tarka, whose career has been plagued by hamstring injuries.
“It’s a soft tissue one, so if you do try and play and mask it with a jab or anti-inflammatory injections you can do more damage,” Mitchell said.
“So certainly we’ve got to look after David.
“It’s just a precaution and we want to make sure he’s going to be fit for next week and by playing he might do more damage to the thigh, so it’s important we look after him.”
The latest injury blow will be offset by the return of defender-cum-striker Jamie Harnwell, who has recovered from pre-season hip surgery, and Argentinean Adrian Trinidad who has overcome a leg injury.
But midfielder James Robinson will miss at least another week with a stomach injury.
Mitchell said he was likely to start Olyroos stars Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Nikita Rukavytsya.
The pair played the second half of last week’s loss to Adelaide after making the mad dash from China following the Olyroos’ exit from the Beijing Olympics.
Hayden Doyle was badly exposed at left back but Topor-Stanley’s return for the full 90 minutes will help plug that hole, while a starting role for Rukavytsya will boost the Glory as they search for all three points at home.
The Jets’ defence will be bolstered by the return of skipper Jade North, who missed Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Central Coast last week due to his Olyroos commitments.
Newcastle have a terrible record against the Glory, losing five, drawing two and winning just twice in nine meetings.
However, Mitchell refused to concede the Glory were Newcastle’s “bogey” side.
“Those past records don’t matter,” Mitchell said.
“Every year it’s different. You have different teams, different players, different coaches, so I don’t believe we’re their bogey team.”
Perth were the only team not to register at least a point in round one and Mitchell said the team was eager to atone for last week’s defeat with a win in front of their home fans.
“It’s important we try to win the game and we will be pushing to try to win the game,” Mitchell said.
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