The Brisbane Roar will have to do without livewire midfielder Massimo Murdocca for the trip to Melbourne to play the Victory at AAMI Park on Friday night.
Murdocca has been ruled out with a groin strain sustained late in Sunday’s 5-1 thrashing of the Mariners on the Central Coast.
It’s understood the injury is not too serious with Roar coach Ange Postecoglou taking a precautious approach with his workaholic midfielder.
Roar coach Ange Postecoglou played down the severity of the injury but said the short turnaround meant the jockey-sized workhorse would be overlooked.
“Massimo pulled up a bit sore after the game with a groin strain,” the Roar boss said on Wednesday.
“This game, with only a four-day break, probably came a bit too quickly for him.”
Youngster Luke Brattan will replace Murdocca in the Roar squad for the trip to Melbourne.
The Victory are the only side to have beaten Brisbane this season, a 3-0 triumph in September at the same venue.
The Roar have gone on an A-League record 14 game unbeaten run since that defeat.
