Spanish star Juan Mata is poised for a second-half cameo in his expected return from a broken elbow on Saturday night against Western Sydney Wanderers, although Melbourne Victory coach Arthur Diles hasn’t ruled out the prospect of the veteran playmaker starting against his former club.
Mata, who turns 38 next month, hasn’t played since injuring his elbow in Victory’s 1-0 loss to Wellington Phoenix on April 5.
There were fears that the former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder could be sidelined for the rest of the season.
However, his quicker-than-expected recovery has him likely to return this weekend at CommBank Stadium to get some match minutes in his legs ahead of next month’s finals series.
Sixth-placed Victory is assured of finals football but need at least a draw on Saturday night to have any hope of securing a home elimination final next weekend.
“We can only control what we do on Saturday night,” Diles said.
“On our day we can beat anyone and outplay anyone.”
Diles said it was a “credit to everyone involved” that Mata – who has been the A-League’s best player since moving to Victory in the off-season after being largely ignored by the Wanderers – was available for selection this weekend.
“It (Mata’s elbow) has healed really well. All the latest technology with these types of surgeries … it’s mind-blowing,” the Victory mentor said.
“He could potentially start if we need him to, and if he’s up for it, but it’s more than likely … that he would start on the bench and come on.
“That could always change … but the fact is we want him to travel and be part of the squad, and whatever involvement he can have in the match, we’ll see on Saturday night.”
Diles also suggested that young goalkeeper Jack Warshawsky would hold on to his spot despite some shaky moments in recent weeks and the presence of experienced gloveman Jack Duncan in the squad.
“For me, he hasn’t put a foot wrong,” Diles said of Warshawsky.
“Yes, there were maybe a couple of goals he could slightly have done better with, but that happens. There is no blame game there.
“You’ve got to also remember some saves that he’s pulled off in the last couple of games. He’s doing really well.”
Diles was confident his team would avoid complacency against the Wanderers, the A-League’s already confirmed wooden spooners.
“That’s the most important thing, that always we turn up to play the best football we can, and that should correlate with a result, and if we’ve fallen short with our football, there still should be ways that we can win games because you don’t always have to be pretty to win,” he said.
