Melbourne City head coach Warren Joyce has confirmed defender Bart Schenkeveld will not travel to New Zealand to face the Wellington Phoenix.
The Dutch defender was left out of the last week’s match against Adelaide United after suffering an innocuous foot injury in the final training session that week.
Joyce says the club will “assess the injury again” next week but will take every precaution ahead of the finals.
“[Schenkeveld] won’t be available and won’t be travelling this week,” Joyce said.
“I don’t know the time-frame…
he’s tried to kick a couple of balls this morning.
“Instead of rushing him back now he will do some kind of training over the weekend with a plan to get him back as soon as we can.
”
Schenkeveld has only missed two matches this season and has been integral for the side, which has the league’s third best defensive record.
The team, however, will welcome captain Scott Jamieson back into the squad after a stint on the sidelines.
City face the Phoenix in another elimination final like contest with a home final potentially up for grabs.
Wellington is coming off back-to-back losses and the news of Mark Rudan departing the club at season’s end.
With two league games remaining Wellington and City sit fifth and sit respectively on the table with only goal difference setting them a part.
“They’re well organised, they’ve got a good coach, they’ve got a good way of playing and they’ve got some threats,” Joyce said.
“Our approach will be no different in our approach than we have in several weeks.
“They can create chances and take chances. They’ve proved that all season.
“We know we’ve got a tough game on; we’ve played them twice this season, won one and lost one.”
Wellington Phoenix host Melbourne City on Sunday at 5pm (AEST) from Westpac Stadium.
Featured Image: Melbourne City FC
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