Central Coast Mariners head coach Mark Jackson revealed youngster Nicholas Duarte suffered a broken ankle in training ahead of Friday night’s F3 Derby showdown in Unite Round.
Duarte is set to be sidelined until at least the New Year following the unfortunate “training ground accident” as two-time reigning Isuzu UTE A-League champions the Mariners prepare for their blockbuster showdown against rivals Newcastle Jets at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
The 20-year-old attacker has featured twice in the A-Leagues this season, while he scored his maiden professional goal in the AFC Champions League Elite – against Kevin Muscat’s Chinese champions Shanghai Port.
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“We have suffered with injuries of late and Nicko Duarte is another player who is going to be missing for a significant space of time,” Jackson told reporters on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately he’s had a training ground accident where he broke his ankle. It was a non-contact injury where he went over and caught his studs in the ground.
“He is out until the New Year.”
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It is another blow for the Mariners, who are already without Socceroo and captain Trent Sainsbury, Brad Tapp and young gun Miguel Di Pizio.
Sainsbury is yet to play in the Isuzu UTE A-League this term as he recovers from a torn pectoral muscle, while Di Pizio is also out of action until the New Year after undergoing knee surgery.
