Sydney FC defender Kirsty Fenton will miss the remainder of the Liberty A-League season and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after scans confirmed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee.
Fenton sustained the injury whilst challenging for the ball in the 10th minute of Sydney’s 4-2 win over Wellington Phoenix over the weekend, with scans subsequently revealing the 20-year old full-back also damaged her medial cruciate ligament (MCL) and her meniscus.
“It’s a kick in the guts and not something you want to hear,” said the Sydney defender. “Especially coming to the end of the season where we are aiming to make history.
“It’s not ideal and I’m going to miss being out there with the girls but I know they and everyone at the club will have my back, and I’ll get this and come back stronger.
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She continued: “I’ve spoken to girls who have done it recently and they’ve all said that you find yourself and you come back stronger mentally.
“That’s what I’ll focus on, myself, my mental side and coming back better than I was before.
“But obviously it hurts. Knowing that I have Nat [Captain Nat Tobin also coming back from ACL] makes me feel a lot better.
“It sucks for her as well and she shouldn’t be going through it either, but I’m glad I have someone like her to help get me through it.”
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Fenton will undergo surgery in April and her recovery is expected to see her sidelined for up to 12 months.
The news comes as a hammer blow to the Sky Blues as they attempt to retain both their Premiership and Championship crowns, especially having already lost captain Natalie Tobin to an ACL injury earlier in the season.
“Our heart goes out to Kirsty, because she’s an important person and important player in the team,” said head coach Ante Juric.
“It’s disappointing to have her out and for the team to suffer another major injury.
“We’ve used these setbacks before as motivation to perform for our injured players and we’ll be looking to do that in the final matches of this season.”
Sunday’s impressive win over Wellington coupled with a defeat for Western United saw Sydney climb to the top of the Liberty A-League ladder, where they now sit a point clear of Western whilst also having a game in hand.
Fenton will now miss the Sky Blues’ three remaining matches against Adelaide United (H), Canberra United (A) and Melbourne Victory (H) as well as the finals series.
