Perth Glory’s hopes of qualifying for the Hyundai A-League playoffs for the first time suffered a blow after it was revealed Brazilian midfielder Amaral requires season-ending surgery.
The former Brazil international has not played since tearing a tendon in his right hamstring during the Round 10 match against Wellington Phoenix early last month.
Although the tear appeared to be healing, the 35-year-old aggravated the injury during light training two weeks ago and further scans determined that he required minor surgery in order to ensure a full recovery.
“It’s very disappointing because he is a quality player and his experience and professionalism has been a big boost for the club on the park,” said Perth coach Dave Mitchell.
“He’s a big game player, the sort of player that can make things happen and turn a game.”
“He’ll be missed but it gives other players the opportunity to step-up and since Amaral has been out we’ve been able to cover for him and create a midfield combination that is working well.”
Mitchell said that although Amaral’s contract expired at the end of the season, Glory fans may not have seen the last of the diminutive midfielder in purple.
“We’ll have a closer look at how he recovers after the operation but there is no doubting his ability and the influence he had,” he said.
“He loves Perth and wants to play a role in helping Glory be a title contender and we’ll make an assessment on his future at the club later down the track.”
“The prognosis is good, the surgery will fix the problem and the doctors are confident he’ll be back better than ever.”
Capped 31 times by his country, Amaral has had stints around the world including at Palmeiras, Benfica and Fiorentina.
Mitchell said there was a possibility former Wellington midfielder LeiLei Gao could be drafted into the Glory’s squad as a direct injury replacement for Amaral over the last seven matches of the campaign, after training in Perth last week.
“He came here and he looked quite good,” Mitchell said of the former Phoenix man, who was released from his contract at the club four weeks ago after failing to attend training sessions.
“He’s a capable player so he’s one that could be on the radar, there’s a couple as well that we’re looking at.”
Glory star striker Nikita Rukavytsya is also expected to be fit for Saturday’s clash in Wellington after missing the club’s win over Melbourne due to calf soreness.
Rukavytsya did light training on Tuesday with his calf still strapped but Mitchell is confident he’ll make the long trip to New Zealand, saying the one-week absence should help his fitness considerably.
Mitchell was more concerned with Adrian Trinidad, though, saying the Argentine midfielder would have scans to reveal the extent of an ankle injury he picked up against Melbourne, although the coach felt Wayne Srhoj was a possibility to play despite dislocating his shoulder last week.
However former Socceroos’ defender Hayden Foxe did not train on Tuesday and seems unlikely to play his third match of the season this week after being absent from the side for five matches after injuring his hamstring and having a lump removed from his leg.
