Sydney FC will be hoping the injury suffered by Joe Lolley isn’t a bad one after the Englishman was forced from the field with what looked to be a groin injury in their 1-0 defeat to Auckland FC.
Going down in the 31st minute of the clash at Go Media Stadium, Lolley appeared to be clutching his left groin as he received treatment on the pitch from the Sky Blues’ medical staff.
Getting the okay to carry on, Lolley returned to the action but lasted just 90 seconds before he was then down once again.
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As Sydney FC surged forward on the counter, Lolley broke down as he tried to keep up with play and as such was immediately substituted, with Patrick Wood coming on in his place.
Contributing 12 goals and seven assists last term, Lolley has already started this season in fine form, netting the opening goal in the club’s 2-1 win over rivals Western Sydney Wanderers in round one.
If serious, the injury to Lolley will come as a major blow for the Sky Blues given they were already without Brazilian star Douglas Costa for the trip to Auckland.
Substituted during their recent 2-1 loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the ACL Elite, Costa was sent back to Sydney rather than being risked against the Black Knights with Talay confirming the 34-year-old is undergoing scans to determine the extent of a hamstring injury.
To make matters worse for the visitors, head coach Talay was then forced to his bench once again after central midfielder Corey Hollman went off injured less than five minutes into the second half.
Further adding to Talay’s headache, the Sky Blues suffered an agonising late loss to Auckland FC with Black Knights defender Nando Pijnaker scoring a dramatic winner for the home side in the 97th minute.
