Mariners finally free of injuries
By Philip Henderson
February 17, 2008 HAVING made good use of their much-needed week off, a refreshed Central Coast will begin their A-League grand final preparations in earnest with zero injury concerns.
While their opponents for the decider at the Sydney Football Stadium next week will spend the next few days recovering from the preliminary final, the Mariners will get a jump-start on their rivals by having their full playing squad available at the start of a week for the first time this season.
"Everyone will train fully on Monday," Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna said.
"We've not had that all year, so that will be perfect for us."
Left-back Alvin Ceccoli (bruised toe) and midfielder Tom Pondeljak (inflamed knee) have been cleared to resume training after both sat out last week to recover from injuries sustained early in the major semi-final against Newcastle.
Star striker John Aloisi was also given a free pass last week because of his continuing battle with a knee injury, while defender Nigel Boogaard and midfielder Mile Jedinak were handed only light duties.
"Because the boys put so much into the 120 minutes (of the major semi) we were the walking wounded last Sunday," McKinna said.
"And because we had to use the two subs so early, it just left us with not many options. So having the week off has been great for us.
"Sometimes you want to continue playing, but the week off has certainly helped us."
McKinna said that Ceccoli and Pondeljak would have been doubtful to play in the preliminary final had the minor premiers not overcome a two-goal first-leg deficit and beaten the Jets 3-2 on aggregate in the major semi.
"I would have said that we probably would have been touch and go with Tom and Alvin," McKinna said.
"I think John would have been fit, and the rest of the boys would be fit, but they wouldn't have been able to train much during the week, so they would have been underdone for the game.
"So it's certainly been a welcome break."
McKinna had bad news for Dean Heffernan, however.
Heffernan, who broke a leg against Sydney FC two months ago, had no chance of playing in the grand final, McKinna said.
The defender had been holding out hope last month for a miracle recovery to play in the decider, but he is still at least a few weeks from contemplating a return.
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23228379-23215,00.html
By Philip Henderson
February 17, 2008 HAVING made good use of their much-needed week off, a refreshed Central Coast will begin their A-League grand final preparations in earnest with zero injury concerns.
While their opponents for the decider at the Sydney Football Stadium next week will spend the next few days recovering from the preliminary final, the Mariners will get a jump-start on their rivals by having their full playing squad available at the start of a week for the first time this season.
"Everyone will train fully on Monday," Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna said.
"We've not had that all year, so that will be perfect for us."
Left-back Alvin Ceccoli (bruised toe) and midfielder Tom Pondeljak (inflamed knee) have been cleared to resume training after both sat out last week to recover from injuries sustained early in the major semi-final against Newcastle.
Star striker John Aloisi was also given a free pass last week because of his continuing battle with a knee injury, while defender Nigel Boogaard and midfielder Mile Jedinak were handed only light duties.
"Because the boys put so much into the 120 minutes (of the major semi) we were the walking wounded last Sunday," McKinna said.
"And because we had to use the two subs so early, it just left us with not many options. So having the week off has been great for us.
"Sometimes you want to continue playing, but the week off has certainly helped us."
McKinna said that Ceccoli and Pondeljak would have been doubtful to play in the preliminary final had the minor premiers not overcome a two-goal first-leg deficit and beaten the Jets 3-2 on aggregate in the major semi.
"I would have said that we probably would have been touch and go with Tom and Alvin," McKinna said.
"I think John would have been fit, and the rest of the boys would be fit, but they wouldn't have been able to train much during the week, so they would have been underdone for the game.
"So it's certainly been a welcome break."
McKinna had bad news for Dean Heffernan, however.
Heffernan, who broke a leg against Sydney FC two months ago, had no chance of playing in the grand final, McKinna said.
The defender had been holding out hope last month for a miracle recovery to play in the decider, but he is still at least a few weeks from contemplating a return.
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23228379-23215,00.html
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