Key Wanderers trio ruled out

On the march ... will Hersi or Rojas catch Del Piero? Source: Dean Lewins / AAP

Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic is set to be without three key players for Saturday's derby, with injuries and suspension taking their toll on the team as they stand on the brink of winning the Premier's Plate.

Re-live all the goals, match highlights and stats as the Wanderers went on an historic run of A-League wins:

•  January 13

  2-0 v Wellington Phoenix, Westpac Stadium

• January 20

  2-1 v Brisbane Roar, Suncorp Stadium

• January 26

  1-0 v Melbourne Heart, Parramatta Stadium
   

• February 3

  4-2 v Adelaide United, Hindmarsh Stadium
   

• February 9

  2-1 v Newcastle Jets, Campbelltown Stadium

• February 16

  2-1 v Melbourne Victory, AAMI Park
   

• February 23

  1-0 v Perth Glory, Parramatta Stadium

• March 2

  1-0 v Central Coast Mariners, Bluetongue Stadium
   

• March 10

  2-1 v Wellington Phoenix, Parramatta Stadium

• March 16

  3-1 v Melbourne Heart, AAMI Park

Star winger Youssouf Hersi will sit the derby out after being cautioned for kicking the ball away late in the game during Saturday's 3-1 win at Melbourne Heart, accruing his eighth yellow card of the season and a one-match ban.

But more worryingly for Popovic, German fullback Jerome Polenz will be sidelined for three to four weeks by a quad strain, raising the prospect of him fighting to be fit by the weekend of the grand final.

Midfielder Aaron Mooy is also likely to miss the derby with a knee injury, though Popovic is hopeful the former Bolton Wanderers trainee will only miss one game.

Marquee star Shinji Ono missed the win over Heart through a hamstring strain and Wanderers are sweating on him being fit to return on Saturday, with his side needing a win to be certain of finishing in first place.

The injuries will force Popovic to delve deep into his squad, though his side will have a weekend's break once the finals begin through finishing in the top two.

Three players on the pitch on Saturday - Wanderers left back Adam D'Apuzzo and Sydney pair Tiago Calvano and Sebastian Ryall - will all play knowing that they are one yellow card away from a ban.

Meanwhile, Sydney offered a profuse apology after fans group The Cove produced a banner in Saturday's draw with Melbourne Victory that carried a pejorative reference to disabled people. 

The banner was approved in its initial form but Sydney said its wording was subsequently changed by the fans. 

"Sydney FC would like to wholeheartedly apologise to disability groups and those people offended by the banner and warn our fans that anyone displaying banners of such nature in the future will be banned from attending matches at Allianz Stadium," Sydney FC CEO Tony Pignata said. 

"Sydney FC does not condone the actions of the fans in The Cove responsible for displaying an inappropriate banner during the match on Saturday night. We have spoken to the fan group, voiced our strenuous disapproval and made it known that any future breaches will be met with bans from attending matches."

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