Pleasant poser for Sydney FC coach

Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka has some pleasant selection posers for Saturday’s crucial A-League clash with ladder leaders Central Coast in Gosford.

The Sky Blues have slipped to seventh on the ladder with just four games remaining.

The good news for Lavicka is that he will have everyone bar injured striker Mark Bridge available for the game.

Karol Kisel and Sebastian Ryall are available again after suffering groin and hamstring injuries respectively, while Dimi Petratos is back from Olyroos duty.

Sydney were also buoyed on Thursday by news their Socceroos Brett Emerton and Nick Carle emerged uninjured form Wednesday’s World Cup qualifying win over Saudi Arabia in Melbourne.

“We do have many options, which is good,” Lavicka said.

“We have everyone except Mark Bridge available. It is a good situation for me because this is a huge game for us.”

The Mariners’ lead has been slashed to just three points after a run of only one win in five games.

“They are under pressure also,” said Sydney defender Paschal Bosschaart.

Following Saturday’s game, Sydney’s three remaining matches are all against other finals aspirants around them on the ladder.

They face Melbourne Victory, Melbourne Heart and Newcastle, who sit eighth, fifth and sixth respectively.

“When you are getting to the end of the competition the games are going to be heavier and more important,” Bosschaart said.

“We need the points. It’s going to be again a crucial game.”

Bosschaart wants to keep fellow central defender and Dutch compatriot Patrick Zwaanswijk off the scoresheet on Saturday.

Zwaanswijk has hit the net six times this season to be the Mariners second-highest scorer behind Matt Simon, who has left the club.

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