Bosnich relegated to the bench
03/08/2008 8:55 AM
Danny Vukovic is set to start ahead of Mark Bosnich when the Central Coast Mariners tackle Queensland in round three of the Pre-Season Cup on Sunday.
Vukovic was restricted to only ten minutes when the Mariners kept their Pre-Season Cup title hopes alive with a 3-0 win over Sydney on Sunday.
Bosnich, who was rated one of the top goalkeepers in the world during nearly a decade in the English Premier League, made a brilliant Mariners debut, pulling off several top-class saves, including a penalty stop from Sydney skipper Steve Corica.
Bosnich was outstanding in what was his first match in more then six years.
But the former Australian, Manchester United and Chelsea star is almost certain to start off the bench when the Mariners tackle the Roar at Brisbane's Perry Park.
"Both will play a part in the match but at this stage we'll probably be starting with Danny and bringing Mark on,'' Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna said.
"Danny is eligible to play the first two rounds of the A-league before his suspension kicks in so he needs game time as well as Mark. At the moment Danny is our number one keeper but like everyone in the club he has to keep performing.''
Meanwhile, defender Dean Heffernan is still in doubt for the match with a leg injury, while Andre Gumprecht will start in midfield.
Mariners captain Alex Wilkinson continues to improve after battling knee injuries during the pre-season.