Western Sydney Wanderers’ hopes of ending their A-League Men finals drought have taken a blow with defender Tate Russell ruled out for the 2022-23 season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
The Wanderers full-back suffered the dreaded injury at training, little more than a month out from Western Sydney’s October 9 season opener against Perth Glory at home.
Russell, 23, has been a consistent figure in the Wanderers’ starting line-up despite the club’s turbulence and their failure to make the finals since 2016-17, playing 42 of his 69 ALM games across the past two seasons.Â
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His injury sours the Wanderers’ busy off-season, where the club enjoyed a signing spree, luring the likes of Milos Ninkovic, Brandon Borrello, Lawrence Thomas and Kusini Yengi.
“It is heartbreaking for us to lose Tate for the upcoming A-Leagues season after such promising pre-season preparations,” Wanderers head coach Mark Rudan said.
“Tate is a resilient and strong young man, and we will do whatever possible to support him in his journey back to full fitness.”
