Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka has revealed marquee midfielder Brett Emerton is in serious doubt for Sunday’s crucial Hyundai A-League clash against Gold Coast United.
Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka has revealed marquee midfielder Brett Emerton is in serious doubt for Sunday’s crucial Hyundai A-League clash against Gold Coast United.
The 32-year-old was forced from the field late in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Perth Glory after aggravating an existing ankle injury.
He failed to train with the Sky Blues at the SFS on Friday morning and will be given until Saturday to prove his fitness.
But Lavicka was far from confident when pressed on the Socceroos stalwart’s prospects of playing this weekend.
“I can’t say anything more about him because it’s a big problem and question mark about Emmo,” a concerned Lavicka said on Friday.
“He’s experienced and responsible enough so he must tell us, if he is 100 percent ready we’ll probably definitely put him on the park this weekend, if not we have to be smart and manage him smartly and get him ready for the game next week in Melbourne (against the Victory on Thursday).”
“We’ll make a final decision about him tomorrow but I can say that all of Sydney FC’s medical staff are doing the maximum to get him ready.”
“We rested him today from training, tomorrow we have our last training before we play on Sunday so tomorrow we have to make the final decision about him.”
Asked whether Emerton’s ankle complaint was a new injury or an existing condition, Lavicka replied: “I think it’s a long-term injury but when he played for example a week ago in Brisbane he didn’t complain after the game and he had a very good performance there.”
“But after the Wednesday game against Perth he complained late in the game so we replaced him and tried to treat him smartly and get him ready as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, the coach says his players understand the importance of Sunday’s game after squandering five competition points in their previous two matches.
The Sky Blues conceded two late goals in the heartbreaking 2-1 loss against Brisbane last Saturday before allowing a late equaliser against the Glory on Wednesday to settle for a disappointing draw.
“We all know that every game now is a grand final for us because we gave points away in the last two games so we need to pick up the points and turn it around,” the coach said.
“As I said straight after the game, this is about personal responsibility and concentration.”
“We had a big game analysis to close down the game against Perth before training today so I said all we can do know is to stay positive and remain focused on our personal responsibilities.”
“Everybody is disappointed and frustrated but the only way we can fix it is to stay positive, take the personal responsibility and do as best as you can.”
But Lavicka insists it won’t be easy against the bottom-placed Gold Coast on Sunday.
“Gold Coast are sitting behind us but when I saw them play for example against Wellington they played a very attacking style and really opened up the game,” he said.
“I remember when we played them the last game here in Sydney, it was a very difficult game for us, we won but it was a last-moment goal that we scored, so we’re expecting a tough game.”
