Brisbane Roar have suffered a major blow ahead of their pivotal A-League clash against Perth Glory with attacking linchpin Thomas Broich ruled out due to a shoulder injury.
Roar coach Ange Postecoglou on Friday confirmed Broich would not travel to Perth for Saturday night’s match after struggling to recover from the injury he sustained in last weekend’s 3-2 win over Melbourne Victory.
Postecoglou said he needed all his players fully fit for the defending champions’ tussle with the third-placed Glory, who sit four points behind on the A-League table.
But the influential German’s absence could be highly costly as Brisbane, who struggled badly without an injured Broich earlier in the season, attempt to eat into Central Coast’s six-point ladder lead.
“It’s a tough trip anyway; they’re in good form and it will be a tough game,” the coach said. “Obviously Thomas has been playing well for us.
“It’s just another challenge. It’s good.
“If people have doubts about us without Thomas there’s only one way to dispel those doubts.”
Midfield workhorse Massimo Murdocca is also unlikely to make the Roar’s flight to Perth on Friday afternoon with his wife in labour and set to deliver their first child.
But Olyroos representatives Matt Jurman and Rocky Visconte are set to bolster Brisbane’s line-up after returning from Australia’s failed Olympic qualifying campaign.
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