Carrusca held back for Roar showdown
The former Estudiantes man claims he could have featured in the final round of the regular season but will now be almost certain of full fitness in the playoffs
Marcelo Carrusca says he delayed his return to action for Adelaide United in a bid to guarantee his readiness for the elimination final against Brisbane Roar on Friday night.
The Argentine playmaker hasn't featured for the Reds since March 29 after picking up a quadriceps injury.
Crucial to making the Reds tick in the final third, the 31-year-old has been missed during the final weeks of the regular season.
He sat out a 4-1 home win over Melbourne City on Saturday despite being close to full fitness and is now raring to go for the must-win playoff at Adelaide Oval.
"I'm fine, we'll see what (head coach) Josep (Gombau) says but I'm ready," he told reporters.
"I did some physical stuff (over the weekend). Now I trained with the group today and more with the ball.
"I was probably ready last week but this game is more important so me and the coach decide I don't play. The final is the most important for us."
The likely inclusion of Carrusca will be a major boost for Adelaide, who are set to be without centre-forward Bruce Djite, who picked up a groin injury against City, as well as suspended defender Michael Marrone.
"Marrone and Bruce are going to be big losses for us but we’ve got three boys that are fresh that didn’t play on the weekend and are ready to go," captain and goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic said.
“It’s going to be a bit of a change but the boys that are coming in have played most of the season. It's good for them to have that rest and come in fresh."
Another player struggling with injury is holding midfielder Isaias Sanchez, although the Spaniard received a positive prognosis from Carrusca on Tuesday.
"Isaias has something with his ankle but I think he will be fine," he said.
As for Friday's opponents, Adelaide have a healthy respect for the reigning champions, with Carrusca's counterpart in the Roar side earning some lofty praise.
"They are a very good team and have very good players," he said.
"The best player in the league for me is (Thomas) Broich."
Australia's Ivan Franjic could return to the A-League after quitting Russian Premier League club Torpedo Moscow.
Australia defender Ivan Franjic has quit Torpedo Moscow over unpaid wages, paving the way for a return to the A-League.
The 27-year-old, who started every match as Australia won the Asian Cup in January, joined Torpedo in August 2014 has endured an unhappy, injury-interrupted spell in the Russian Premier League after leaving Brisbane Roar at the end of last season.
Professional Footballers Australia confirmed on Tuesday that Franjic has left Russia.
"The PFA can confirm that Ivan sought the advice of the PFA's lawyers. This followed the repeated failure of his club Torpedo Moscow to honour its contractual obligations to him," a PFA spokesperson told the Herald Sun.
"The PFA requested that the club remedy the situation, however this was not done and as a result Ivan terminated his contract for just cause, in accordance with FIFA regulations. Ivan is now a free agent and entitled to sign with the club of his choosing."
Having won three A-League championships with Brisbane, Franjic is expected to be hot property as Australian clubs begin to look to next season, with the competition's finals starting on Friday.
The versatile, energetic player, who is able to operate in midfield and at full-back, has only made three league starts for Torpedo in 2014-15.
Socceroo striker scoops awards in
Wellington
The Socceroo striker cleaned up at the club’s annual awards dinner on Tuesday, including winning gongs for Golden Boot, Players’ Player of the Year and overall Player of the Year.
But he remained tight-lipped on his future plans with his blistering form attracting high interest from cashed-up Asian clubs.
“I can't really say anything in football,” said Burns, who is one year into a two-year deal in Wellington.
“You've got the whole off-season to talk about stuff like that, but for now I’ll just focus on the finals.
“You never know what can happen.
“That's the great thing about this game - you could be fired or upgraded to a new team. We'll have to wait and see.”
Burns has scored 13 goals in Season 10 of the Hyundai A-League – second only to Sydney FC marquee Marc Janko in the Golden Boot race – earning him a Socceroos recall for the recent Asian Cup and the recent friendly against world champions Germany.
And Burns paid credit to Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick for his goal-rush.
“He had a massive involvement in my goals this year - how I played a lot higher.
“It's a different aspect to my game that I probably haven't really achieved before.
“I really wanted to score a lot of goals this year and he's played a main part in that.”
Burns added optimism is high in the Phoenix camp ahead of their Finals Series clash with City on Sunday, despite just one win in their last five matches.
“We’re confident. Very confident. It's finals football - it's the best time of the season.
“We've got the quality. We've shown all year that we're a good team. We just need to enjoy the moment.”
But whatever happens in the future, the Socceroo striker believes the rise of the Phoenix will continue, with or without him.
“It's a unique club. It's very passionate. It's one of the things you Kiwis really strive for in your sport - being so successful.
“As long as the Wellington Phoenix have that - and I think they will forever - then they'll be successful.”
TeamPPts
COMPETITIONS
COMPETITIONS
Matchday 27
Regular Season
TOP SCORERS
| Player | Goals | Apps |
 M. JANKOStrikerSydney | 16 | 22 |
 B. BERISHAStrikerMelbourne Victory | 13 | 26 |
 N. BURNSStrikerWellington Phoenix | 13 | 23 |
 A. KEOGHStrikerPerth Glory | 12 | 27 |
 A. THOMPSONStrikerMelbourne Victory | 10 | 24 |
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