Midweek Football Preview: All You Need to Know as League Leaders City Face Off Against Local Rivals Western Tonight

Western United will be missing Catherine Zimmerman for their fixture against A-League front-runners Melbourne City on Wednesday night, as the American striker is set to undergo surgery for a fractured collarbone.

Zimmerman incurred the injury during the second half of her team’s 4-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday. Following scans, it was confirmed that she has a fractured collarbone, and she is now scheduled for surgery, with an anticipated recovery period of four to six weeks.

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Despite Zimmerman’s absence for Wednesday’s match at ctrl:cyber Pitch, Western will welcome back star defender Alana Cerne from injury. Originally sidelined in January due to a fractured foot, Cerne has been named in head coach Kat Smith’s extended squad, making a quicker-than-expected return.

In sixth place, Western will challenge an unbeaten City side on Wednesday evening, a team that has also been strengthened by the return of Matildas forward Bryleeh Henry, who has been out since early January due to a concussion.

Wednesday’s encounter between City and Western will see Matildas teammates Holly McNamara and Chloe Lincoln go head-to-head, following their selection in interim head coach Tom Sermanni’s 23-player squad for the upcoming SheBelieves Cup later this month.

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Team news – Melbourne City v Western United

Melbourne City squad: 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly McNAMARA, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 14. Laura HUGHES, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC

(Two players to be omitted)

Ins: 11. Emilia MURRAY (promoted), 22. Bryleeh HENRY (returns from injury)

Outs: None

Unavailable: 20. Caitlin KARIC (hamstring)

Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 4. Claudia MIHOCIC, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 8. Sasha GROVE, 9. Sara EGGESVIK, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Sandra IBARGUEN, 13. Avaani PRAKASH, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO, 28. Isabel DEHAKIZ, 36. Chloe LINCOLN (gk)

(Two players to be omitted)

Ins: 11. Sandra IBARGUEN, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 22. Alana CERNE (returns from injury)

Outs: 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN (injured)

Unavailable: None