Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay revealed superstar Douglas Costa is set to miss “six to eight weeks” due to a hamstring injury.
Costa hobbled off in Sydney’s 3-0 Big Blue win over 10-man rivals Melbourne Victory last week, with the former Brazil, Bayern Munich and Juventus attacker withdrawn three minutes into the second half.
The Sky Blues are now eyeing a February return for the 34-year-old; Talay is looking to the AFC Champions League Two Round of 16 first-leg fixture against Bangkok United on February 12.
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“Not good,” Talay said when asked Possibly six to eight weeks with his hamstring.
“Hopefully we will try to push him towards our first ACL game in February.”
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He has scored two goals and supplied two assists in the Isuzu UTE A-League since joining Sydney at the start of 2024-25.
Talay added: “I think he was enjoying himself. He had a really good first half against Melbourne Victory.
“I thought we got him into a really good place physically but these things happen in football.
“He’s probably as frustrated as I am but the reality is the opportunity arises for someone else now.”
Talay – who also said Patryk Klimala is available for selection against Newcastle Jets on Saturday – continued: “It’s disappointing but these things happen. We will just make sure we get him right and push him again.
“If we can push him to get to that first leg of the ACL that means he’s come back a little bit early.”
