Cernak deserved World Cup spot: Farina

Hit hard by injury and national duty, Brisbane Roar coach Frank Farina knows the state of his depleted player ranks could be worse against Perth Glory at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

And he is pretty disappointed it isn't.

Farina was left scratching his head after Roar young gun Isaka Cernak was left out of the Australian squad for the Under-20 World Cup this week.

Sure Farina was thankful he could call on Cernak after Danny Tiatto (groin) was added to an injury list already featuring Massimo Murdocca (leg), Matt McKay (knee), Michael Zullo (hip) and Andrew Packer (groin).

Especially after the Roar also lost Mitch Nichols, Luke DeVere and Tommy Oar to Under-20 World Cup duty.

In fact Farina is so strapped for players that he has been forced to look at Queensland's State League for potential cover.

Still Farina couldn't help but feel for Cernak, who played a major part during World Cup qualification.

"He's a good player and I thought he deserved to be there," Farina said.

"But that's the national coach's job, he's got to select a team and there are going to be players who miss out."

In a strange twist, limited time on the field for the Roar contributed to Cernak missing out on the plane to Egypt on Monday.

Now he looms as a key player for Brisbane as they attempt to keep their unbeaten record (6-0) against Perth Glory at Suncorp Stadium intact.

"I missed out and now I've just got to look forward and focus on my job with the club," the 20-year-old attacking midfielder said.

"I'm a bit disappointed but I understand why I didn't go and it's my responsibility to get myself into the team, so it just gives me more motivation to get myself in there and prove a point."

Despite their woes, the Roar (2-3-1 win-draw-loss) have moved to third spot with an unbeaten five-game run.

"It's a pretty good time to be coming into it so hopefully we can push on and get better and better," Cernak said.

"There are a fair few spots to be filled in our team. But it's not just up to me, it's up to a whole bunch of us to step up."

The Glory (7th; 2-1-3) will be wary of the Roar after conceding 11 goals in their last three matches at Suncorp.

"While they will have some handy players missing for this game, they have great depth and will call on the experience of guys like Craig Moore and Charlie Miller," Glory coach Dave Mitchell said.

"Sometimes when you have new players come in they want to show their worth so it evens things up.

"We're up for the challenge, though, and go into any match thinking that we can get the job done.

"We need to turn things around on the road and that starts this weekend."

Mitchell was sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Tando Velaphis after he suffered concussion in the final minutes of last Sunday's frustrating draw with Gold Coast United.