Brisbane Roar star Jay O'Shea has become more integral than ever in midfield with Florin Berenguer ruled out with injury for the A-League Men clash against Western Sydney.
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Roar coach Ross Aloisi said it was a "huge blow" that French midfielder Berenguer had not recovered from a quad injury sustained in last week's 2-1 win over Perth Glory.
Defender Corey Brown (hamstring) is another who won't back up in Friday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium for the fourth-placed Roar against the ALM pacesetters.
The Wanderers have suffered a massive loss of their own with Socceroos attacking weapon Brandon Borrello out for three months with a broken foot.
Western Sydney have been superb at both ends of the pitch, conceding just two goals in five games and keeping four clean sheets with Brazilian defender Marcelo highly influential at the back.
Aloisi said Wanderers had an "amazing roster and fighting mentality" but the enterprising Roar have also been impressive.
The coach said the Wanderers would be tough to break down but any side with 35-year-old Irishman O'Shea in it is always an attacking threat.
O'Shea created a goal and scored one in last week's win to continue his stellar season.
"He has been fantastic. The reason we talk about Jay O'Shea is that too many people wrote off Jay O'Shea," Aloisi said of the attacking midfielder.
"Never write a champion off. He is super fit and the position that he is playing and brand of football we play suits him."
Roar defender Scott Neville gave O'Shea the ultimate praise.
"I have been in the league for 15 or 16 seasons and Jay is up there with the best player I have ever played with and the most professional," Neville said.
"Long may it continue. He is like a fine wine."
The Suncorp pitch was savaged by both coaches after the Roar's win over Perth Glory. The surface was chopped up after two concerts and rain.
The conditions are the same for both sides and Aloisi does not want his players to dwell on what they can't control.
"I can't imagine the grass has grown in a few days but like I said to our playing group, our philosophy is that there are no excuses," Aloisi said.
"We go out and play the best football we can possibly play."
Australian Associated Press
