Glory sweat on Castro for Victory clash
  Story By Justin Chadwick     

Saturday, 18 November 2017: Perth Glory have been hit with more injury worries this week heading into Sunday's crunch clash with Melbourne Victory at nib Stadium.

Perth Glory are sweating on the fitness of star midfielder Diego Castro heading into Sunday's crunch clash with Melbourne Victory at nib Stadium.

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Castro left training early on Friday with what appeared to be a calf complaint.

If he is ruled out of Sunday's A-League match, it would be a bitter blow to the injury-depleted Glory.

Defender Scott Neville has already been ruled out after picking up a groin injury, while Spaniard Andreu Guerao is in doubt with a calf complaint.

Star striker Adam Taggart is expected to miss up to seven more weeks after tearing his hamstring at training last week, while Joel Chianese (collar bone) and Marc Warren (ankle) have been sidelined since the start of the season.

In contrast to Glory's dwindling stocks, Victory will be boosted by the return of star trio Mark Milligan, Kosta Barbarouses and James Troisi from international duties.

Glory coach Kenny Lowe did his best to downplay any injury concerns surrounding Castro.

But he also tried to downplay the significance of Taggart's training setback last week, with scans later confirming a 2cm tear.

Melbourne Victory are winless after six rounds and sit second last on the table.

Glory are three points further ahead in sixth spot and are desperate to bounce back from last week's 5-2 hammering from Wellington Phoenix.

Lowe said there was no reason to panic despite that bad result.

"If it was a structural situation, then that's a bit different. But individual stuff is individual," Lowe said.

"Those things are fixable.

"It's quite ironic. The week before, we had a clean sheet and looked really solid, and we think, 'Yeah, we're on the right track'.

"It's got a funny habit, this game, to hit you in the bollocks. So smile, work hard, and get on with it."

Glory are yet to lose at home this season.

And despite Victory's recent struggles, Lowe said Kevin Muscat's men remained a formidable outfit.

"They've been in every single game they've played," Lowe said.

"They've got great depth as well.

"They'll be tough opposition as normal. Every game they've played, it hasn't been a cake walk for the team they've played."

STATS THAT MATTER:

* Perth have won their last three games at nib Stadium against Melbourne Victory, and six of their last 10

* Perth Glory have conceded just 73 fouls this campaign; fewer than any other team in the competition, though they have also won the fewest fouls (51).

* Victory midfielder Brandon Wilson has a passing accuracy of 88 per cent in opposition territory this campaign, the best of any player to attempt at least 50 passes in that area.






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