Central Coast Mariners head coach Mark Jackson confirmed star recruit Trent Sainsbury will be sidelined until the New Year due to a chest injury.
Sainsbury is back in Gosford after a decade away but the Socceroos defender will miss the start of the season, including Friday night’s opener against Melbourne Victory as he recovers from a pectoral injury.
The 32-year-old captain was absent from Central Coast’s AFC Champions League Elite matchday two loss to Buriram United on October 1 and Jackson has now revealed the severity of the “freak” injury ahead of a Grand Final rematch at home to Victory.
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Brian Kaltak will wear the armband in Sainsbury’s absence.
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“Trent’s going to be out until the New Year,” Jackson confirmed to reporters on Thursday as two-time reigning champions the Mariners prepare for their title defence. “It’s a big, big blow for him and for us in particular.
“It was a freak incident in the gym. He tore a pec muscle which, like anything, you delve deeper into it after the incident and nothing that any of the staff or him could have done differently. It’s just one of these freak incidents.
“Any injury never comes at a good time. Any injury isn’t a good injury.
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“With him missing for that length of time is a blow but we’ve dealt with that in our minds and as a squad. We understand that is the situation.
“We’re going to miss his leadership on the pitch but off the pitch, he is still there. I’ve had chats with him and he understands he still has a massive role to play, particularly with the young players in the squad, and being that mentor off the pitch.”
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