McNamara boost as City, Roar face off at top of ALW

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McNamara boost as City, Roar face off at top of ALW

Matildas forward Holly McNamara is in line to start her first game in over a year as Melbourne City bid to launch a break away at the top of the A-League Women table.

Just a point separates league-leading City and second-placed Brisbane Roar, who meet at AAMI Park on Saturday.

City coach Michael Matricciani has revealed McNamara, who has been restricted to substitute cameos following her comeback from an ACL injury, is in contention to start for the first time in 14 months.

News the 21-year-old is nearing a return to full fitness will be welcomed by the Matildas set-up ahead of three friendlies in the US next month.

For City it’s a perfect addition as they look to open up a gap between themselves and the Roar.

“She’s ready to start,” said Matricciani, who said the striker could expect to push out close to 60 minutes of gametime.

“I think we all know she’s a super talented player and she’s a credit to herself.

“She’s gotten back into her rhythm very quickly.

“I think she’s got a lot of levels to keep improving which is exciting for us and I think for the national team as well.”

McNamara’s eye for goal – she has found the net 12 times across 24 ALW career games – could prove vital giving Brisbane’s attacking threats.

The Roar have scored a league-high 30 goals through their opening 10 matches with Laini Freier leading the golden boot race.

“There’s some areas that we’ve analysed where I think we can exploit them,” Matricciani said.

“But we need to be wary of their strengths and if we can nullify those then I think it will go a long way in winning the match.”

In Saturday’s other games, Canberra host Western United and Melbourne Victory are away to Newcastle.

On Sunday, Central Coast Mariners are on the road to face the struggling Western Sydney Wanderers and Wellington are away to Adelaide.

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