The Hyundai A-League may be in full swing but a spate of injuries to key players has tested the depth of a number of clubs so far this season.
On Tuesday, Newcastle Jets confirmed that star striker Roy O’Donovan will be out of action for three months after suffering a groin tear against Glory on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Victory midfielder Mark Milligan picked up a hamstring injury at the weekend, while Glory duo Xavi Torres and Alex Grant were both forced off against the Jets.
Star Roar winger Eric Bautheac was also a first-half casualty in his side’s 0-0 draw with Wellington.
Here’s a look at some of the personnel currently on the sidelines across the A-League.
ADELAIDE UNITED
Adelaide suffered a huge blow at the end of last season when Tarek Elrich ruptured his anterior cruciate knee ligament, setting him up for a long stint on the sidelines.
Taylor Regan is out with a serious ankle injury while star attacker Johan Absalonsen has missed several matches with a thigh injury.
BRISBANE ROAR
Defender Luke DeVere is a long-term absentee with a knee injury while youngster Shannon Brady is out indefinitely with a broken foot.
Brett Holman (knock), Michael Theo (finger), Thomas Kristensen (hamstring) and Jade North (groin) could all return in the next few weeks.
French recruit Eric Bautheac picked up a hamstring strain against Wellington and could be out of action for several weeks.
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
The Mariners have enjoyed a relatively injury-free season with the exception being Spaniard Asdrubal, with the striker missing a number of weeks with an ankle injury.
MELBOURNE CITY
The biggest loss for City has been the ankle injury suffered by Bruno Fornaroli, with the Uruguayan yet to play a game this season.
Marcelo Carrusca has also been battling a calf injury in recent weeks.
MELBOURNE VICTORY
Mitch Austin suffered an ACL tear and is out for the season, while James Donachie will be out of action until at least January following a nasty quad injury.
In a big blow, Socceroo Mark Milligan picked up a hamstring injury in Friday’s clash with Adelaide United.
NEWCASTLE JETS
On Tuesday, Newcastle Jets confirmed that star striker Roy O’Donovan will be out of action for three months after suffering a groin tear against Glory on Saturday.
Marquee midfielder Ronny Vargas is out with a long-term ankle injury, while Jake Adelson won’t feature this season due to a torn ACL.
Goalkeeper Jack Duncan is also on the sidelines with a foot injury, while Daniel Georgievski has missed the last couple of weeks with a knee complaint.
PERTH GLORY
The Glory have endured a tough run with injury this season with Adam Taggart (hamstring), Andy Keogh (groin), Andreu (calf), Joel Chianese (collar bone), Marc Warren (ankle) and Scott Neville (groin) all on the sidelines.
To make matters worse, Xavi Torres and Alex Grant were both forced off early against the Jets on Saturday night.
In positive news, Diego Castro made an encouraging cameo off the bench after struggling recently with a calf issue.
SYDNEY FC
Rhyan Grant (knee) is the only long-term concern for the Sky Blues, though marquee Milos Ninkovic has missed the last three weeks with a calf complaint.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Dylan Fox (hamstring), Roy Krishna (knee) and Michael McGlinchey (groin) all missed Wellington’s trip to Brisbane at the weekend.
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS
Keeper Jerrad Tyson is out of action with a shoulder injury, while strikers Oriol Riera and Jaushua Sotirio both missed Saturday’s derby loss with hamstring issues.
