Queesland Roar and Westfield Matlidas striker Jenna Tristram will play no further part in the 2008/09 Westfield W-League after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee in Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Canberra United at Perry Park.
Tristram was to be a vital weapon in the Roar Women-s arsenal this season and coach Jeff Hopkins said he was disappointed to lose such an important player.
“Jenna was our mainstay up front and she is a big part of our game,” Hopkins said. “She-s mobile, she-s quick and she was looking really sharp going into the season.
“It-s a huge blow for the team as well as herself.”
Tristram suffered the same injury in her right knee two-and-a-half years ago, the day after making her debut for the Matlidas against Hong Kong in April 2007.
Hopkins said with the knowledge Tristram had that she could come back from the injury, was a positive for the striker.
“We really don-t know how she did it, we-re looking at it being a little bit of bad luck for her,” Hopkins said. “It-s hard to explain how it happened, physically she-s in great shape and is well conditioned.
“The good thing about it is that she knows she-s been through it once and she came back stronger than she was before and most probably a better player than she was before.
“The team has really pulled together for her and I-m talking about the players and the support staff.”
Hopkins now faces the task of attempting to find a replacement for the highly-rated Tristram, a job he says will not be straightforward.
“We-ve looked up here in the local competition and from what I-ve seen there is no one who would make a huge difference to our squad,” Hopkins said.
“In saying that, it now becomes an opportunity for others in the squad to step up and take on her role in the team.”
Tristram is scheduled for reconstructive surgery on Monday.
