In a blow for Western Sydney, attacker Mark Bridge appears long odds to be fit for next week’s Hyundai A-League grand final.
In a blow for Western Sydney, attacker Mark Bridge appears long odds to be fit for next week’s Hyundai A-League grand final.
Bridge was forced from the field midway through the second half after awkwardly rolling his ankle in the Wanderers 2-0 semi-final win over Central Coast on Saturday night.
The 28-year-old left Pirtek Stadium in a moon boot and cut a forlorn figure when approached by www.footballaustralia.com.au.
A clearly disconsolate Bridge was reluctant to talk about the injury or his chances of figuring in the decider and there are fears in the Wanderers camp his season could be over.
He will have scans on Sunday with the results to determine if he will line-up against either Brisbane or Melbourne Victory next weekend.
“I had a look at his ankle in the change-room and it doesn’t look good,” Wanderers coach Tony Popovic said.
“It’s blown right up. We’ll get scans and see.
“But looking at him you would have to say he’s a big doubt for the grand final.”
Bridge has scored for two different clubs in Hyundai A-League grand finals. The Jets in 2008 and Sydney FC two years later. On both occasions, Bridge left with a winner-s medal.
Wanderers winger Youssouf Hersi, who missed last season’s grand final through suspension, said it would be a blow to his side if Bridge was unavailable.
“He’s a great player. He scores goal from nothing and he makes something happen,” Hersi told www.footballaustralia.com.au.
“It would be very disappointing if he won’t be there but we don’t know yet.
“I hope he’s ok. We’ll see when he gets the scans but fingers crossed he’s good to play.”
Bridge’s injury was the only sour note on a dominant performance from the Wanderers after booking back-to-back grand final berths.
Hersi got the ball rolling with a goal 14 minutes before the break before setting up Iacopo La Rocca’s match sealer late in the second half.
