???Sydney FC are preparing for a defensive reshuffle for their match against Melbourne City at home on Saturday night with regular centre-back Jordy Buijs at risk of missing the match through fitness concerns.
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Rhyan Grant and Danny Vukovic will be rushed back into the Sydney FC first team after returning to training on Wednesday following international duty, though the Dutch centre-back, Buijs, is struggling with soreness.
Buijs was forced off with muscle tightness in Sydney's 3-0 win away to Perth last week and is in doubt to start against City. Experienced defender Seb Ryall is unlikely to replace Buijs as he is still coming back from a hamstring injury with Aaron Calver the most likely option to partner Alex Wilkinson in the backline.
"Sebby [Ryall] is probably a week away, Calver's fit, Jordy is touch and go. It wasn't really an injury, it was just more stiffness and I think that was from his first experience of that long flight from Sydney to Perth. He felt tightening up in his quad, but he's fine," Arnold said.
Despite the impressive thumping of Perth Glory last week in absence of Grant and Vukovic, Graham Arnold has no hesitation to start the goalkeeper and fullback in their first home game since winning the A-League premiership. Former Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne had a solid debut for Sydney against Perth while midfielder Josh Brillante passed the difficult test of man-marking Diego Castro while deputising for Grant at right back.
"They've been selected for the national team for one reason and that's their fantastic form. They're two of our best players so they'll both come straight into the starting line up on Saturday night," Arnold said. "It's a good headache to have to have Ryan back and Danny back. Andrew Redmayne performed great last week and Josh Brillante just showed the depth that we have in the squad."
Sydney have the luxury of preparing for a home semi-final after winning the premiers plate with three rounds remaining but Arnold is unlikely to rotate the squad heavily in their remaining regular season games.
"We'll play our best team available. I've never really believed in rotating too much, momentum is key. Players like minutes and consistency," he said. "Let's not forget after Round 27 we have a weekend off and if I start resting players now then they could end up with several weeks off, and is that the proper preparation going into the finals? We'll put our best team out on Saturday to win the game."
