In & Out: Two Socceroos Return from Injury, Captain Ruled Out with Concussion

The teams are gearing up for Round 26 of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.

Melbourne City is set to welcome back Subway Socceroo Mathew Leckie, who returns from a minor calf injury this weekend, as Aurelio Vidmar’s side prepares to host Brisbane Roar in the opening match of the weekend.

Unfortunately for City head coach Aurelio, centre-back Samuel Souprayen will be unavailable due to a similar minor calf injury.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory has included recently-capped Socceroo Ryan Teague in their squad for the away game against Wellington Phoenix at Sky Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Teague was absent for Victory’s thrilling 5-3 victory over Adelaide United in the Original Rivalry but will be eager to make an impact on the pitch against the ‘Nix following a bye in Round 25.

Adelaide United will make the trip to face Perth Glory on Saturday night, but they will be without captain Ryan Kitto, who is still in concussion protocols.

Continue reading for the latest team news ahead of Round 26.

*Bye: Macarthur Bulls

Melbourne City vs Brisbane Roar

Friday, April 11 – AAMI Park – 7:35 PM AEST

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Melbourne City squad: 2. Callum TALBOT, 6. Steven UGARKOVIC, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 10. Yonatan COHEN, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 16. Aziz BEHICH, 17. Max CAPUTO, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 21. Alessandro LOPANE, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 23. Marco TILIO, 27. Kai TREWIN, 30. Andreas KUEN, 33. Patrick BEACH, 35. Medin MEMETI, 38. Harry POLITIDIS, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 41. Lawrence WONG, 47. Kavian RAHMANI, 60. Lachie CHARLES

(Two players will be omitted)

Ins: 7. Mathew LECKIE (returns from injury), 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC (both promoted)

Outs: 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN (calf injury)

Unavailable: 8. Jimmy JEGGO (Achilles), 15. Andrew NABBOUT (knee), 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN (calf), 34. Jayden NECOVSKI (knee), 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (knee)

Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Macklin FREKE, 6. Austin LUDWIK, 8. Walid SHOUR, 10. Florin BERENGUER, 11. Asumah ABUBAKAR, 12. Lucas HERRINGTON, 13. Henry HORE, 14. Pearson KASAWAYA, 15. Hosine BIILITY, 17. Nathan AMANATIDIS, 18. Jacob BRAZETE, 19. Jack HINGERT, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 24. Sam KLEIN, 26. Jay O’SHEA, 27. Ben HALLORAN, 29. Matt ACTON, 35. Louis ZABALA, 43. Adam ZIMARINO, 47. James DURRINGTON

(Two players will be omitted)

Ins: 19. Jack HINGERT

Outs: 21. Antonee BURKE-GILROY

DEEP DIVE: We should’ve anticipated the rise of City’s young weapon after what he showcased on debut at just 15 years old.

Wellington Phoenix vs Melbourne Victory

Saturday, April 12 – Sky Stadium – 3 PM AEST

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Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI, 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Paulo RETRE, 9. Hideki ISHIGE, 14. Alex RUFER, 15. Isaac HUGHES, 17. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 19. Sam SUTTON, 23. Luke SUPYK, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 35. Dublin BOON, 39. Jayden SMITH, 41. Nathan WALKER

(Two players will be omitted)

Ins: 39. Jayden SMITH (promoted)

Outs: 46. Lachlan CANDY (omitted)

Unavailable: 11. Stefan COLAKOVSKI (injured), 12. Chico GERALDES (injured), 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk) (injured)

Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Mitch LANGERAK, 3. Adama TRAORE, 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 5. Brendan HAMILL, 6. Ryan TEAGUE, 7. Daniel ARZANI, 8. Zinedine MACHACH, 9. Nikolaos VERGOS, 10. Bruno FORNAROLI, 14. Jordi VALADON, 16. Joshua INSERRA, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 18. Fabian MONGE, 19. Jing REEC, 21. Roderick MIRANDA, 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 23. Alexander BADOLATO, 25. Jack DUNCAN, 27. Reno PISCOPO, 28. Kasey BOS

(Two players will be omitted)

Ins: 3. Adama TRAORE (promoted), 6. Ryan TEAGUE (returns from injury)

Outs: 11. Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES (injured)

Unavailable: Nil

Sydney FC vs Auckland FC

Saturday, April 12 – Allianz Stadium – 5 PM AEST

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Sydney FC squad: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE, 4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 5. Alex GRANT, 6. Corey HOLLMAN, 7. Adrian SEGECIC, 8. Anas OUAHIM, 9. Patryk KLIMALA, 10. Joe LOLLEY, 11. Douglas COSTA, 12. Harrison DEVENISH-MEARES, 15. Leo SENA, 16. Joel KING, 17. Anthony CACERES, 20. Tiago QUINTAL, 21. Zac DE JESUS, 24. Wataru KAMIJO, 25. Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 29. Joe LACEY, 37. Will KENNEDY, 41. Alex POPOVIC

(Two players will be omitted)

Ins: 29. Joe LACEY (promoted), 41. Alex POPOVIC (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 3. Aaron GURD (collarbone), 31. Jaushua SOTIRIO (hamstring), 42. Kyle SHAW (hamstring)

Auckland FC squad: 1. Michael WOUD, 2. Hiroki SAKAI, 5. Tommy SMITH, 7. Cameron HOWIESON, 8. Luis TOOMEY, 9. Max MATA, 10. Guillermo MAY, 11. Marlee FRANÇOIS, 12. Alex PAULSEN, 14. Liam GILLION, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 21. Jesse RANDALL, 22. Jake BRIMMER, 23. Dan HALL, 25. Neyder MORENO, 27. Logan ROGERSON, 28. Luis Felipe GALLEGOS

Ins: 14. Liam GILLION

Outs: 35. Jonty BIDOIS

FEATURE INTERVIEW: Douglas Costa shares his insightful views on Aussie football and highlights three young talents to watch for the future.

Newcastle Jets vs Central Coast Mariners

Saturday, April 12 – McDonald Jones Stadium – 7:35 PM AEST

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Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Ryan SCOTT, 4. Phillip ČANČAR, 6. Matthew SCARCELLA, 7. Eli ADAMS, 9. Lachlan ROSE, 10. WELLISSOL, 13. Clayton TAYLOR, 14. Dane INGHAM, 15. Aleksandar ŠUŠNJAR, 17. Kosta GROZOS, 18. Kota MIZUNUMA, 19. Callum TIMMINS, 20. Charles M’MOMBWA, 22. Ben GIBSON, 23. Daniel WILMERING, 28. Will DOBSON, 33. Mark NATTA, 37. Lachlan BAYLISS, 39. Thomas AQUILINA, 40. Jordan BAYLIS

(Two players will be omitted)

Ins: 22. Ben GIBSON, 28. Will DOBSON

Outs: 21. Noah JAMES, 24. Alex NUNES, 44. Ben VAN DORSSEN, 66. Zac BOWLING

Unavailable: 25. Oscar FRYER, 11. Jacob DOWSE

Central Coast Mariners squad: 3. Brian KALTAK, 4. Trent SAINSBURY, 7. Christian THEOHAROUS, 8. Alfie McCALMONT, 9. Alou KUOL, 10. Mikael DOKA, 11. Vitor FEIJAO, 12. Lucas MAURAGIS, 15. Storm ROUX, 16. Harry STEELE, 21. Abdul FAISAL, 23. Miguel DI PIZIO, 24. Diesel HERRINGTON, 29. Nico DUARTE, 30. Jack WARSHAWSKY, 33. Nathan PAULL, 35. Arthur DE LIMA, 37. Bailey BRANDTMAN, 40. Dylan PERAIC-CULLEN, 44. Lucas SCICLUNA

Ins: 35. Arthur DE LIMA, 37. Bailey BRANDTMAN

Outs: Nil

STANTON REPLACEMENT? Mark Milligan has stepped down from his role with the national team amid A-League connections.

Perth Glory vs Adelaide United

Saturday, April 12 – HBF Park – 9:45 PM AEST

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Perth Glory squad: 1. Oli SAIL, 3. Anas HAMZAOUI, 4. Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS, 7. Nicholas PENNINGTON, 10. Nikola MILEUSNIC, 12. Taras GOMULKA, 13. Cameron COOK (gk), 14. Nathanael BLAIR, 16. Adam BUGARIJA, 17. Yuto MISAO, 19. Josh RISDON, 20. Trent OSTLER, 21. Luke AMOS, 22. Adam TAGGART, 23. Patrick WOOD, 25. Jaylan PEARMAN, 26. Khoa NGO, 27. Will FRENEY, 28. Kaelan MAJEKODUNMI, 29. Tomi MRCELA

(Two players will be omitted)

Ins: 3. Anas HAMZAOUI, 14. Nathanael BLAIR

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 9. David WILLIAMS (injured), 15. Zach LISOLAJSKI (injured), 18. Lachie WALES (injured), 24. Andriano LEBIB (injured), 36. Takuya OKAMOTO (injured)

Adelaide United squad: 1. James DELIANOV, 3. Bart VRIENDS, 4. Jordan ELSEY, 6. Stefan MAUK, 8. ISAÍAS, 9. Luka JOVANOVIĆ, 10. Zach CLOUGH, 12. Jonny YULL, 13. Max VARTULI, 14. Jay BARNETT, 17. Ben FOLAMI, 19. Yaya DUKULY, 20. Dylan PIERIAS, 21. Javi LÓPEZ, 26. Archie GOODWIN, 42. Austin AYOUBI, 44. Ryan WHITE, 51. Panagiotis KIKIANIS, 55. Ethan ALAGICH, 62. Fabian TALLADIRA

(Two players will be omitted)

Ins: 62. Fabian TALLADIRA (promoted)

Outs: 7. Ryan KITTO (concussion protocols)

Unavailable: 7. Ryan KITTO (concussion protocols), 36. Panashe MADANHA (hamstring), 54. Bailey O’NEIL (individual training)

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Western United

Sunday, April 13 – ComBank Stadium – 5 PM AEST

MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH

Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 2. Gab CLEUR, 3. Alex GERSBACH, 4. Alex BONETIG, 6. Mohamed AL-TAAY, 7. Zac SAPSFORD, 9. Marcus ANTONSSON, 13. Dean PELEKANOS, 14. Nicolas MILANOVIC, 17. Jarrod CARLUCCIO, 18. Oscar PRIESTMAN, 19. Jack CLISBY, 20. Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 21. Aydan HAMMOND, 22. Anthony PANTAZOPOULOS, 23. Bozhidar KRAEV, 25. Josh BRILLANTE, 26. Brandon BORRELLO, 28. Joshua LAWS, 30. Jordan HOLMES, 64. Juan MATA

(Two players will be omitted)

Ins: 13. Dean PELEKANOS (promoted), 17. Jarrod CARLUCCIO

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 5. Dylan SCICLUNA (injured), 8. Jeong TAE-WOOK (injured)

Western United squad: 4. James DONACHIE, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 9. Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 10. Matthew GRIMALDI, 13. Tate RUSSELL, 14. Jake NAJDOVSKI, 17. Ben GARUCCIO (c), 19. Noah BOTIC, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 23. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 24. Michael RUHS, 29. Charbel SHAMOON, 30. Dylan LEONARD, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (GK), 37. Luke VICKERY, 44. Jordan LAUTON, 70. Michael VONJA (GK), 77. Riku DANZAKI

(Two players will be omitted)

Ins: 14. Jake NAJDOVSKI, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 20. Abel WALATEE (injured)

SHARP-SHOOTERS: Wanderers have developed a new identity that positions them as a side ‘nobody wants to face’, with whispers of European interest in their promising young talent.