Melbourne Victory will be without Adama Traore for three to four weeks, after the defender injured his ankle in the round 24 game against Brisbane Roar.
Melbourne Victory will be without Adama Traore for three to four weeks, after the defender injured his ankle in the round 24 game against Brisbane Roar.
The 23-year-old was stretchered off in the 65th minute of Saturday night’s 1-1 draw at Suncorp Stadium, and while x-rays showed there was no fracture, an MRI revealed a high-ankle ligament tear. Traore and the club-s medical staff will meet with a surgeon on Wednesday to determine the best course of action.
The injury is a major blow to Victory ahead of the finals series. Defensive frailties have already ended their premiership hopes and they face Sydney FC this weekend in what is sure to be a highly charged Big Blue.
Victory coach Ange Postecoglou admitted the news was extremely disappointing.
“There’s no doubt that Adama has been fantastic for us this season and he-s been an integral part of our defensive structure,” Postecoglou said.
“We-re hopeful that Adama won-t require surgery and that he-ll be back before the end of the season, but if he does need an operation his rehabilitation will obviously be longer.
“While we’re very disappointed for Adama, this setback will provide an opportunity for someone else to step-up in his absence.”
Traore joins injured midfielder Gui Finkler and defender Nick Ansell on the sidelines, although the latter started running again this week in a bid to be fit for the finals series.
