Perth Glory striker Eugene Dadi has once again been left out in the cold, missing selection for Friday night’s A-League clash with Central Coast in Canberra.
And it might not be the last time the 36-year-old is forced to watch from the sidelines as the strike partnership between Mile Sterjovski and Branko Jelic goes from strength to strength.
Dadi notched 10 goals last season but has been unable to break into the side since putting in a disappointing display in Perth’s 1-0 loss to Adelaide in round one.
The Glory have won their past two matches and coach Dave Mitchell conceded the Ivory Coast veteran would battle to break back into a winning side.
“He’s been a professional for many years so I’m sure it wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened to Eugene,” Mitchell said on Wednesday.
“It’s a credit to him, he’s working hard and he’s looking forward to getting back in the side.
“But at present we’ve got other options and they’re doing well so if that keeps going I’ll stick with them.”
Veteran Jamie Harnwell will also have to bide his time after recovering from injury.
Harnwell tore his hamstring during the pre-season and while he has returned to training, Mitchell believed the 32-year-old was still at least a week away from pushing for selection.
“He’s got great influence at the club and the team but I just feel another week’s training for him would do him the world of good and we’ll just see what happens,” he said.
Defender Jamie Coyne (knee) is another set to push for selection within the next fortnight but Mitchell warned there would be no free rides back into the starting XI.
“You have to think these guys haven’t played a game in four or five weeks so you just can’t throw them in the deep end,” Mitchell said.
“And you’ve got to reward the squad that’s done well.
“The nucleus of the squad is strong and we’ve got to make sure people just can’t walk in.
“They’ve got to earn the right to get back and play for Perth Glory and that’s sending the message out to everyone.”
The Mariners lost 1-0 to Brisbane last week but have bolstered their side with the short-term signing of Jamaican international Wolry Wolfe, who has been named in the extended squad to take on Perth.
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