John Aloisi launches spirited defence of injured Heart skipper Harry Kewell John Aloisi has gone in to bat for injured Heart skipper Harry Kewell. JOHN Aloisi has launched a spirited defence of injured star Harry Kewell, saying has he never questioned his captain's commitment to Melbourne Heart. The coach brushed aside suggestions Kewell's motivation has dwindled in light of changes to the Socceroos set up ahead of next year's World Cup, speculation Kewell also strongly denied on Thursday. Kewell was set to return from a whiplash injury for tonight's clash with Western Sydney at AAMI Park only to roll his ankle at training on Wednesday, an injury Aloisi said could sideline the 35-year-old for up to three weeks. But Aloisi said Kewell's reaction to his latest setback was all the proof needed to demonstrate how committed he is to Heart's cause. Melbourne Heart coach John Aloisi has defended his club's recruiting record after recent failures to get high profile players on the park. "Everyone sees how hard he works ... and if you were with me yesterday after training and saw how upset he was you wouldn't be questioning his desire at all," Aloisi said. Harry was distraught because he wants to be out there, he wants to help the players, he wants to help the club. He's been looking good in training and feeling great and that's what is even more frustrating for him. Kewell labelled as "ridiculous" any suggestion he would not play for Heart if his dreams of playing at a third World Cup were to be dashed. "It's a shame because my first and foremost job was always to play for Melbourne Heart," Kewell said on SEN. Melbourne Heart's Michael Mifsud during training. Yes, there's a big competition at the end of the season but first I'm playing in a massive competition at this club and I want to be involved in it. So all that speculation about me not wanting to play for Heart and if I wasn't going to play in the Australian team then I was going to go home, that's ridiculous. Aloisi also defended Kewell's much publicised golf game on Sunday. Kewell was deemed fit to play in Brisbane but was held back for tonight's home game and so Aloisi said he allowed Kewell to play golf on what was his day off. Heart is expected to add more midfield muscle to combat the Wanderers physicality. Fit again Nick Kalmar could come in to the starting line-up as a No. 10, while another option would be for Patrick Gerhardt to shift in to midfield and have David Vrankovic replace him in central defence. Western Sydney livewire Youssouf Hersi was ruled out of the Wanderers team with a toe injury. Heart is still seeking its first win of the season, but Aloisi denied he was under any overt pressure as a result of the club's winless start. (Am I) under pressure? Pressure comes with the job and I put myself under pressure because I want to win all the time," he said. But if we keep on playing the way we're playing then the results will come.