Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay has revealed Brazilian import Douglas Costa is in a ‘good space’ amid suggestions he may be back much quicker than the initial 6-8 week layoff that was predicted.
Costa, 34, was initially ruled out for up to eight weeks after injuring his hamstring during Sydney FC’s recent 3-0 win over Melbourne Victory.
However footage emerged earlier this week of the Brazilian being put through his paces during training at the club’s Sky Park training base, leading to questions being asked as to whether or not Costa was ahead of schedule.
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“Yeah look I think Douglas is in a good space at the moment.
“We need to be careful in the sense that he’s an influential, important player for us and we want him on the park as soon as possible.
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“We’ve got to make sure that he’s 100% ready to go so that this doesn’t happen again.
“We can’t control these things within the game but we’ve got to make sure, clinically and medically, the staff are happy to throw him in there again where he can produce what he can produce.”
The positive update over Costa comes off the back of Sydney FC’s emphatic 3-0 win over Perth Glory on Wednesday night.
Now sat seventh on the ladder and just a point outside the top six, the Sky Blues relied on their other start import – English attacker Joe Lolley – to do the damage for them, with the former Nottingham Forest man scoring a hat-trick at Allianz Stadium.
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“I’m delighted for Joe,” said Talay when discussing Lolley, who now sits clear at the top if the Isuzu UTE A-League Golden Boot standings with 8 goals.
“He’s in the right areas which is great. I think the first goal was good combination play with Cas (Anthony Caceres) and him, the ball drops to him and he executes it well.
“Then the last goal, he’s there to poach and tap it in so he’s in the right areas. So look, I thought Joe did well. I thought he was quite positive with the ball in one-v-one situations to take players on and that’s something Joe does well.”
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Asked if his star winger can remain top of the Golden Boot charts for the remainder of the season, Talay delivered his backing for the 32-year-old.
“Why not? Joe’s shown that he can score goals and he’s quite consistent in what he does and I’m sure if there’s another penalty he’ll grab the ball to take it!”
Ufuk Talay on whether Joe Lolley can win the Golden Boot
Next up for the Sky Blues is a home clash with reigning Isuzu UTE A-League champions Central Coast Mariners at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
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