Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay has revealed striker Patryk Klimala will miss Friday night’s clash with Adelaide United due to a groin strain.
The Polish forward has scored four goals in his first seven Isuzu UTE A-League games, but won’t get the chance to add to his tally in Round 9.
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Speaking ahead of Friday’s meeting with the Reds, Talay confirmed Klimala would miss the trip to Adelaide – as would young midfielder Corey Hollman, who remains sidelined by an ankle injury.
“Corey is hopefully available for the (Melbourne Victory) game,” said Talay, referring to Sydney’s Round 10 clash on December 28.
“Leo (Sena) is all good – he should be fine to play.
“The only one is Patryk. Patryk’s got a strain in his groin, but also at the same time, his wife gave birth to his second child yesterday as well. So he’ll be staying back, and then hopefully we have him available for the Victory game as well.”
When pondering potential replacements in his starting XI, Talay highlighted two young forwards who will vie to lead the line against Adelaide at Coopers Stadium.
“We’ve got Woody (Patrick Wood), we’ve got JK (Jaiden Kucharski) that can come in and fill the spot,” he said.
“Obviously, they haven’t had a lot of minutes, but I still believe they’re capable of producing a certain product. So you know, we’ve got those players that can step in for Patryk not being there.”
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Talay and the Sky Blues are under pressure to lift in Round 9 after back-to-back defeats, and three losses in their last four Isuzu UTE A-League games.
Sydney are seventh on the Isuzu UTE A-League table but if they are to jump back into the top six after Round 9, they’ll need to be at their very best to overcome a currently undefeated Adelaide outfit enjoying the club’s best start to a league season in a decade.
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Adelaide head coach Carl Veart has overseen the Reds’ surge into second spot on the Isuzu UTE A-League table, aided by assistant coach Mark Milligan who, after the shock departure of Patrick Kisnorbo from his role as Melbourne Victory coach, has been linked to the job in recent days.
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Veart fronted the media ahead of his side’s home meeting with Sydney on Friday night and was asked about the prospect of Victory taking an interest in Milligan for the top job at the club.
“Look, we all know that Mark is an exceptional coach, and his decision on that, whether they come and ask him, I’m not sure,” Veart said.
“But I think Mark will make an exceptional head coach. You know, we’re very lucky to have him here, and I hope he stays here.
“Mark is very focused on what we’re doing at the moment. He’s very professional. So look, I know while he’s here, he’s going to give 100% to this club, and that’s what you expect from someone as such a high calibre that mark, and the bar that Mark sets for himself.”
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