3 minute read

Brisbane interim coach Darren Davies will have just 17 fit players to choose from for their A-League clash with Wellington.

Brisbane Roar's injury crisis has deepened as their miserable A-League season limped to its conclusion with interim coach Darren Davies counting just 17 fit players to face Wellington.

Friday's match is the first of three in a row at Suncorp Stadium to finish the campaign for the ninth-placed Roar, who are playing for little more than pride.

They're also doing it without a host of first-choice players, with that problem exacerbated by the loss of Brazilian veteran Henrique (groin) and central defender Ruon Tongyik (hamstring).

Both were injured in last week's 4-1 loss to Melbourne City - as the Roar conceded their 20th goal in their past six games.

Five of those have been losses, leaving them still vulnerable to claim the wooden spoon if bottom side Central Coast can make up five points.

Davies' primary focus is getting a team on the park.

"That's two more bodies again light but it presents opportunity for others," he said.

"We're down to 17 fit bodies at the moment so it is difficult but with youth comes freshness, legs and enthusiasm.

"I'm sure they'll bring that tomorrow night."

Brett Holman, Stefan Mauk, Jack Hingert, Tobias Mikkelsen, Daniel Bowles, Connor O'Toole and Dane Ingham were among those unavailable last week.

Danish winger Mikkelsen is listed in Davies' squad after missing two games with a groin strain.

Henrique is omitted for the first time this season, the 33-year-old having added value primarily from the bench in what may be his eighth and final campaign for Brisbane.

He scored the only goal in the loss to the Phoenix in round nine, the result which prompted coach John Aloisi to walk out just after Christmas.

Davies hoped the string of home games would inspire Roar to finish their campaign strongly, starting with an upset over fourth-placed Phoenix.

"It's obviously been a difficult season but with three games to go in front of our home fans, we need to go out there and put on a performance," Davies said.

"I'm so much worried about where they lie, to be honest. It's all about us.

"They're obviously a good team, Wellington, they're one of the form teams of the league."

Phoenix coach Mark Rudan wrote off last week's loss to Adelaide as an off day and hopes his team men rediscover the touch that netted them 15 goals in winning the three previous games.

STATS THAT MATTER

* The past two games between Roar and Phoenix in Brisbane finished 0-0, having never previously played a scoreless draw in the city.

* Wellington need three more goals to surpass their club record of 45 goals in the regular season.

* Brisbane have lost their past four games, scoring a lone goal in each but conceding a total of 13.