Main »
2013 » February » 15 » Mullen to slot straight in for Victory
Mullen to slot straight in for Victory
Melbourne Victory recruit Daniel Mullen will start in the heart of defence against the Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night.
The 23-year-old defender joined the Victory on loan from Chinese Super League club Dalian Aerbin on Tuesday. Victory coach Ange Postecoglou has struggled to find cover for the injured Nick Ansell and Mullen will be rushed into the starting 11 to face the Wanderers at AAMI Park. "We obviously have got quite a few absences and there is seven games plus finals to go so there is no point in easing him in," Postecoglou said on Friday. "He's feeling pretty comfortable with things. He's had a good pre-season and we'll throw him in there. I'm sure he'll acquit himself well." Postecoglou dismissed concerns surrounding the fitness of Mark Milligan, who will take his place in midfield. Star forward Archie Thompson (hamstring) will miss the Wanderers clash, while Adama Traore is also absent after being sent off in the 1-0 loss to Adelaide last time out. A win for Victory would lift them above Western Sydney and into second in the A-League, with Tony Popovic's new boys performing well above expectations this campaign. Postecoglou said the Wanderers' foreign contingent – including the likes of Shinji Ono, Youssouf Hersi and Mateo Poljak – had been a key to making them successful in their first season.
