Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay has revealed star winger Joe Lolley is set to miss the rest of the Isuzu UTE A-League Finals Series with a season-ending injury.
Lolley succumbed to a hamstring injury in Saturday night’s Elimination Final win over Macarthur FC, in the action of scoring Sydney’s second goal of the night in a 4-0 triumph over the Bulls.
As Talay prepares his side for the first leg of a Semi-Final bout with Central Coast Mariners at Allianz Stadium on Friday night, the Sydney coach confirmed Lolley will miss the remainder of his side’s Finals campaign.
“Unfortunately he’s looking at quite a few weeks of rehabilitation so will miss the rest of the season,” Talay said.
“It’s a blow as Joe has had a fantastic year but we’ve got great strength in depth, and players who have already shown they have what it takes to step in and perform in the big games.
“Now is the perfect opportunity for them to do that again.”
Lolley has scored 12 goals for Sydney this season, including the long-range stunner that led to his injury in Saturday’s Elimination Final.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Dream week for Mariners star who breaks Wellington’s 6-month Player of the Month streak!
Talay also provided an update on Sydney captain Luke Brattan, who succumbed to an ankle injury under a hefty challenge from Macarthur midfielder Jake Hollman in Saturday night’s Elimination Final.
“We are taking it day by day with Luke but the good news is there is no fracture,” he said.
“The rest has been good for him and the ankle is improving every day.
“If he continues improving at the current rate then I am optimistic he will be good to go on Friday night.”
Sydney FC will face Premiers and AFC Cup Champions Central Coast at home on Friday night before the second leg on Saturday May 18 at Industree Group Stadium for a place in the Grand Final a week later.
Get your tickets to this weekend’s Semi-Finals!
Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix
Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners
