Out: Lucas Neill. Photo: Steven Siewert
Sydney FC defender Lucas Neill is out of Saturday night's clash against Melbourne Victory at Allianz Stadium, and could be at risk for the subsequent derby against the Western Sydney Wanderers the following week.
Neill is battling to overcome a strained calf suffered in the 2-1 loss against Perth Glory, and only trained for the first time since that game at the club's base at Macquarie University on Thursday afternoon.
The Socceroos captain was expected to miss just the one game but those hopes have been dashed, with Sky Blues coach Frank Farina ruling out Neill for this game at the very least.
''That was Lucas' first session in two weeks. I've had a chat with him, we were talking with the physio as well, and it's a risk. At this stage, there's no real point taking that risk with him,'' Farina said. ''We've got a light session tomorrow and then the game. So after two weeks and just a light session, we'll most probably err on the side of safety. We're not desperate at the moment. He'll get a good solid week under his belt next week, and the risk factor then will be a lot less.''
Farina said the team's defensive performance in the 2-0 defeat of the Mariners meant he was more than comfortable about sticking with the central defensive pairing of Tiago Calvano and Adam Griffiths for another match.
''That's the first clean sheet we've kept in a long time, so that was pleasing,'' he said. ''It's not that Central Coast didn't have their opportunities but we kept a clean sheet, and there's no real need to rush him, especially as there is a risk factor there. If he does it again, he's done for the rest of the season.''
Despite Brazilian defender Fabio being available again after suspension, his poor form in the past few months means he'll be overlooked in favour of Rhyan Grant, who filled in admirably at left-back against the Mariners. Sebastian Ryall will start again at right-back, meaning it's almost certain to be the same back four two weeks running.
The task of the defensive unit is arguably even greater this week as the unpredictable pairing of Marco Rojas and Archie Thompson is sure to cause problems.
''They're a very good side. They've most probably not been as consistent as Ange [Postecoglou, coach] would have probably liked but they've got some very dangerous players,'' Farina said. ''With Archie and Rojas, in particular up front, they can hurt you. We've got to be disciplined, as we were against the Mariners, because they're a very fit side as well and very mobile, and I thought we handled that quite well. We know what we're up against. We haven't beaten them this year, so hopefully, if we stick to what we've been asked to do, and expected to do, we've got a chance.''
Farina identified the pair's rapid movement as the main thing his defenders had to look out for.
''It's not often that you see one staying out on the right-hand side and one on the left-hand side or through the middle. They move. You can't go with a man-marking situation because you'll have people dragged all over the place,'' he said. ''We have a line, and we have a zone, and they're aware of what those players are doing when they come into those zones, so it's a matter of staying concentrated and focused on who is in there and what they're going to do. We've got to be organised in terms of team structure, and it's a matter of doing it for 90 minutes.''
The coach is also hopeful his team has turned the corner in terms of its poor discipline, with just one yellow card - to captain Terry McFlynn in the second half - picked up by his players.
''That's something we've got to improve on, and last week we did, I think, and this week has got to be no different,'' he said.
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