Sydney FC winger Joe Lolley will undergo surgery to correct an ankle issue and could now be sidelined for the remainder of the Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Lolley will go under the knife today (Thursday) to correct a syndesmosis injury sustained during the Sky Blues’ 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix in Round 19.
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As a result of the injury the Englishman is now set to be sidelined for four to six weeks and could miss the rest of the campaign.
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The news comes as a huge blow to head coach Ufuk Talay, who’s side currently sit third on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder, five points behind league leaders Newcastle Jets.
“It’s disappointing for Joe and the team as he’s a very influential player for us; but we’re hoping he’ll return at the back end of the season,” said Talay, when addressing the media this week.
“It’s pleasing we’ve got good strength in depth in the squad and it’s a big chance for someone else to step up.”
Whilst Lolley is now sidelined, the return to fitness of attackers Abel Walatee and Al Hassan Toure come at a good time for the Sky Blues.
One player Talay will be hoping can continue to shine in the absence of Lolley is in-form attacker Tiago Quintal.
Alongside Lolley, 19-year-old Quintal is the club’s joint-top scorer this season with four goals whilst he’s also registered two assists.
“He’s getting surgery today actually so it’s a big loss for us,” said Quintal when speaking at a pre-match press conference on Thursday.
“But we’ve got replacements. Al Hassan Toure, Abel Walatee – we’ve got players who can play in that position. We’ve got a lot of attacking firepower so hopefully they come in and do the job.”
Sydney FC host Melbourne Victory this weekend in a mouthwatering Big Blue on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium.
