Provisional Squads Announced for Men's A-League Derby
The Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC have both released their provisional squads ahead of the men's A-League derby scheduled at Sky Stadium on Saturday. This match is part of a double header featuring both women's and men's A-League games.
Injury Updates and Squad Changes
Both teams are dealing with key player injuries as they prepare for the derby.
- Wellington Phoenix will miss All Whites defender Tim Paine (broken collarbone), defender Manrekar James (quad strain), and winger Hideki Ishige (knee).
- Ramy Najjarine, the Lebanon international winger, will return to the Phoenix lineup.
- Auckland FC captain Hiroki Sakai is expected to be sidelined for six weeks due to a hamstring injury sustained during last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Adelaide United.
- All Whites centre back Nando Pijnaker is likely to be available after recovering from off-season ankle surgery. He recently played for Auckland FC’s reserves for half a game.
Sky Stadium … will host two games on Saturday.
Wellington Phoenix Squad Highlights
The Phoenix have named a provisional squad but will omit two players before the match.
Auckland FC Squad Insights
Despite injuries, Auckland FC aims to field a strong team with key defenders returning from rehabilitation.
Additional Information
The derby will showcase top-level football as both teams manage fitness challenges and seek dominance in this regional rivalry.
Author's summary: Provisional squads for the Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC derby reveal injury challenges and key player returns, setting the stage for a competitive A-League fixture at Sky Stadium.