WESTON have boosted their defensive stocks but will anxiously wait on results from an MRI scan on marquee signing Kew Jaliens’ injured ankle.
The Bears, beaten 4-1 by Jaffas in round three of the NPL on Saturday, have recruited Callum Bower from the Central Coast NSW NPL club as an injury replacement for Brock Oakley (knee), who is out for the year.
Bower, 19, came through the Emerging Jets program before spending the past two seasons with the Mariners. The defender was unable to play against Jaffas last week because his registration was completed just inside 72 hours before the game.
Weston, meanwhile, remain unsure when former Jets captain and Dutch international Jaliens will feature.
The 39-year-old was injured in the Heritage Cup, where he made his return to competitive football after an almost three-year break.
Jaliens’ foot remains swollen and he has not trained since the injury on March 11. He was seeing a specialist on Tuesday and having an MRI scan.
Coach Steve Piggott said attacking pair Cooper Buswell (hip) and Jake Barner (back) are also on the sidelines.
Young defender Jett White is with the Bears after he was released from Edgeworth on competition eve in an agreement between Piggott and Eagles coach Damian Zane. However, White is set to return in the first window for roster changes after round six.
The Bears, who beat Lake Macquarie 2-1 in round two, host Broadmeadow on Sunday.
