FORMER English Premier League defender Ryan Shotton is out of quarantine but won’t play for Melbourne Victory in their return bout against Brisbane Roar on Sunday.
Having been beaten by the Roar 3-1 last Saturday at AAMI Park, the Victory get an immediate shot at revenge this weekend when they meet the Queenslanders at Dolphin Stadium.
Shotton’s experience at the back would have come in handy after the Roar exposed some first-up deficiencies in the Victory’s defence.
But the 32-year-old former Stoke, Derby, Birmingham and Middlesbrough defender ruled himself out after a sometimes difficult hotel quarantine stay in Sydney.
Ryan Shotton can't wait to get started!#mvfc #since05 pic.twitter.com/glYlePs7rt
“I want to make sure that I’m fully 100 per cent ready to come in and show everything that I’ve got,” Shotton said.
“I’m trying to get to know the lads and get up to scratch as quick as I can, but I’m still a few days off that.”
Shotton urged the Victory to “pay them back” on Sunday.
“Unfortunately I can’t do anything for them but I’ll be encouraging and doing anything I can on the (training) pitch until then that can help,” he said.
The Victory will also be without New Zealand international Marco Rojas, who injured his hamstring in the loss to the Roar.
Victory coach Grant Brebner said: “Marco has been cleared of any serious damage but as a precaution he won’t travel with the team to play Brisbane Roar this Sunday.
“He does have some tightness in his hamstring which we’ll continue to monitor, and barring any setbacks we expect he will be available to play against Adelaide United (on January 23).”
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