Unfortunate for those who suffer them, injuries in football do at least provide chances and Ryan Kitto is certainly taking his at Adelaide United.
The young winger has stepped up in the absence of Johan Absalonsen to become a key player for Marco Kurz’s men.
It’s exactly what the Reds’ boss would have hoped to see.
Granted his second start of the season away to Central Coast Mariners a fortnight ago, Kitto scored a stoppage time winner to end his side’s three-match losing run in the best possible fashion.
He had already scored a late equaliser in the dramatic come-from-behind defeat of Brisbane Roar, with that Round 2 strike proving the catalyst for what is turning out to be a breakout campaign from the 23-year-old.
Two more came in the weekend’s victory over Western Sydney Wanderers as his first ever Hyundai A-League brace fired Adelaide into fourth.
And with a Westfield FFA Cup Final rematch against Sydney FC ahead this Friday night, the stage is set for Kitto to show just how far he’s come.
It’s another big opportunity to prove his class to Kurz and show why he should command a starting place regardless of available personnel.
The evidence we’ve seen this season suggests he’ll take it.
