Michael Thwaite’s run of 41 consecutive appearances for Gold Coast looks set to come to an end this weekend with an ankle injury likely to keep him out of Sunday’s match against Central Coast.
Thwaite sprained his ankle in the 3-1 victory over Sydney last Friday and although he travelled with the Socceroos to Egypt, he was unable to register any game time.
The versatile defender has remarkably played every single minute of every single A-League game since Gold Coast entered the competition last season.
But that run is almost certain to come to an end this weekend with coach Miron Bleiberg hopeful he will return for next week’s trip to Adelaide.
“Michael informed the club that the national team medical staff have ruled him out of action for this weekend. He had to fly out the morning after the Sydney game and he went over there (to Egypt) with the hope that it was only bruising, but it-s turned out to be a slight sprain,” he said.
“He will most likely miss Sunday’s game against Central Coast Mariners, but as it’s not a serious injury we-re fairly confident that he will be fine for our trip to Adelaide the week after.”
“To miss the Egypt match was very disappointing for him and to miss a Gold Coast United game for the first time is also disappointing. I understand he was in with a very good chance of playing against Egypt but his chance will come again.”
“To have an ever-present record for a club is remarkable and it shows how much Michael has become synonymous with Gold Coast United.”
“If he cannot play he will miss an important match for us, but every match is important in this league. It will be hard to play without him but we have plenty of cover with Kristian Rees and Bas van den Brink, along with Dino Djulbic of course.”
Gold Coast play Central Coast Mariners is Gosford on Sunday.
