Agostino ruled out

Adelaide United have been dealt a massive blow ahead of their AFC Champions League semi final second leg against Bunyodkor on Wednesday night with the news that marquee signing Paul Agostino will miss due to injury.

Adelaide United have been dealt a massive blow ahead of their AFC Champions League semi final second leg against Bunyodkor on Wednesday night with the news that marquee signing Paul Agostino will miss due to injury.

Agostino suffered a suspected torn calf muscle during Adelaide’s first training session in Tashkent on Monday evening.

The 33-year-old is expected to have an MRI scan to find out the extent of the injury, but coach Aurelio Vidmar has conceded that he will be without Agostino-s services for the match at MHSK Stadium.

“We think he (Agostino) has torn a calf muscle and early suggestions are that it could be anywhere between a 4-6 week injury,” Vidmar said.

“It hasn’t affected our preparations, however Ago is a player who would have had an impact in some capacity in a game like this and unfortunately now we don’t have that. It just gives someone else an opportunity.”

After an injury interrupted season last year, Agostino has been relatively injury free for the majority of United-s current season prior to this latest setback.

The Reds will have a one hour familiarisation session at the MHSK Stadium later on Tuesday afternoon to finalise preparations for what looms as the biggest match in Australian club football history.