The Isuzu UTE A-League season of Western Sydney Wanderers captain Rhys Williams appears to be over, with scans confirming the severity of a hamstring injury suffered on the weekend.
Williams collapsed in agony before being taken off the field on a stretcher in the 78th minute of Sunday’s thrilling 3-3 draw against reigning A-League Men champions Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
Scans have since confirmed a rupture of Williams’ hamstring tendon as the 33-year-old defender faces a “lengthy period” on the sidelines.
Williams – a veteran of 14 internationals who hadn’t given up hope of forcing his way back into Graham Arnold’s Socceroos plans for the 2022 World Cup – will reportedly undergo surgery to repair the tendon.
It is a setback for the ex-Middlesbrough and Melbourne Victory player, who has had a long history of injury concerns during his career, which cost him a spot at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The news is the last thing the Wanderers needed as pressure continues to build on head coach Carl Robinson.
Western Sydney have won just one of their six league matches this season and sit eighth in the standings.
The Wanderers will sit out this weekend’s action after their game against league leaders Victory at Commbank Stadium was postponed following three positive COVID-19 cases within the Melbourne club’s squad earlier in the week.
