An horrific injury to Jets marquee Ronald Vargas has cast a shadow over Newcastle’s best start to an A-League season in several years.
The Venezuelan front-man was stretchered off Suncorp Stadium just over an hour into his side’s 2-1 win over Brisbane.
Coach Ernie Merrick confirmed afterwards that it was an extremely serious ankle injury and Vargas was now in the hands of a surgeon.
“The win means nothing really,” a visibly shaken Merrick told media after the win.
“We’d have given it away for no injury to Ronnie.
Sad to see Ronny Vargas get injured today. Wishing him all the best and a speedy recovery.
— Tim Cahill AO (@Tim_Cahill) October 22, 2017
That is a complete disaster for Newcastle, the A League, but most horribly… Ronny Vargas.
— Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) October 22, 2017
Ronald Vargas is currently in hospital for scans for a very serious ankle injury. All the best Ron, we're thinking of you mate. pic.twitter.com/JNKWCELADp
— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) October 22, 2017
“Any player suffering an injury like that [hurts]. He was loving life in Newcastle,” said Merrick.
Goals from Roy O’Donovan and Dimi Petratos continued the Jets’ unbeaten start to the new Hyundai A-League season, which sees them sitting second behind Melbourne City after three rounds.
