Chris Goulding has been ruled out of Melbourne United’s clash against Illawarra Hawks

CHRIS Goulding has been ruled out of Melbourne United’s clash against Illawarra in Wollongong with coach Dean Vickerman warning against the Hawks’ “funky zones”.

Chris Goulding in action for Melbourne United.

DEAN Vickerman has warned Melbourne United to be on the lookout for “funky zones” and “more pressure” ahead of Thursday night’s game against Illawarra Hawks in Wollongong.

The NBL champions, who moved to the top of the league standings last Monday night defeating Sydney Kings by seven points, will play four games in the next 10 days, including a trip to New Zealand.

With Chris Goulding (knee) officially ruled out, United expects the Hawks to go after Casper Ware and Mitch McCarron in the backcourt.

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“I absolutely expect Illawarra to come with everything,” Vickerman said.

“They’ve had a little stretch of games that they probably haven’t played the way they have wanted to play and had a good week to prepare for us so it will be high energy.

“You got to have in the back of your mind what haven’t they shown us, what are some things they’ve done in the past they haven’t shown us, I’d assume they’ll come with more pressure in the backcourt and really try and tire our guards being a guard (Goulding) down, they’ve also thrown some funky zones at us too so we got to be prepared for that too.”

Chris Goulding watches on from the sidelines during the win over Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Chris Goulding in action during United’s clash with Perth Wildcats.

United has defeated Illawarra twice already this season, including the four over-time season-opener in Wollongong and a hard-fought win at Melbourne Arena last month.

Despite the lop-sided record, the Hawks have been their own worst enemy this season, giving up early leads before clawing back into contention without winning.

United decided against flying Goulding to Wollongong, desperate to let the luckless shooting guard’s bone bruising settle fully.

Goulding is an outside chance to suit up for Sunday’s clash with Cairns Taipans at Melbourne Arena.

“We got some good work in today but I think the prospect of bringing him back now, still not quite 100 per cent versus trying to get him to that point hopefully for that Sunday game,” Vickerman said.

“You always want your best team on the floor but I love the way this group is competing without him, we got a lot of people stepping up.”

Back-up guard Pete Hooley and versatile big man Craig Moller have given United a chop out in Goulding’s absence.

The tricky injury, which Goulding sustained in United’s over-time loss in Perth last month, has restricted the Boomers star to a modified training program with very little contact.

United will play four games over the next 11 days before the Kings return to Melbourne for the November 24 showdown.

The Boomers will host Iran (November 30) and Qatar (December 3) at Margaret Court Arena in the second round of World Cup qualification.

Originally published as Chris Goulding has been ruled out of Melbourne United’s clash against Illawarra Hawks