Adelaide has been dealt a massive blow with the news that midfielder Lucas Pantelis will be out of action for at least four weeks with a knee injury.
Adelaide has been dealt a massive blow with the news that midfielder Lucas Pantelis will be out of action for at least four weeks with a knee injury.
The 26-year-old had an MRI scan on Tuesday which revealed damage to the ACL graft in his left knee, the same one he had reconstructed in 2006 which kept him out of the entire Hyundai A-League 2006/07 season.
United’s vice-captain suffered the injury in the Reds’ 3-0 loss to the Mariners on Saturday night in Gosford when he landed awkwardly.
“We are going to give him a trial rehab for 4-6 weeks and then we-ll look at it again to see if whether he will need a full knee reconstruction or can resume training, ” club doctor James Ilic said.
It is shocking news for Pantelis who will miss next month’s FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.
“Unfortunately Lucas will be out for at least 4-6 weeks and it is devastating for him and the club, because he worked exceptionally hard to get back from the knee injury he had a couple of years ago,” coach Aurelio Vidmar said.
“Hopefully we-ll see him back on the park in the near future.”
Ilic has had discussions with Pantelis- surgeon on how to best manage the injury, which is similar to what happened to team-mate Cassio earlier this year.
The Brazilian injured a knee that had already been reconstructed previously, and despite early signs that he would need a full knee reconstruction, he returned after a short recovery.
Pantelis will no doubt be hoping for a similar prognosis.
Adelaide welcomes the visit of former coach John Kosmina to Hindmarsh Stadium for Saturday night’s blockbuster battle against Sydney FC.
