Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Alen Stajcic explained Jeong Tae-wook’s absence for this weekend’s Isuzu UTE A-League showdown against Melbourne City due to an ankle injury.
The Wanderers are without South Korean centre-back Jeong for Saturday’s Round 6 clash at AAMI Park because of an injury the loanee initially thought was a “little niggle”.
However, Jeong’s injury is more than a niggle as 10th-placed Western Sydney look to bounce back from their 4-2 derby loss to cross-town rivals Sydney FC last week.
BUY TICKETS TO MELBOURNE CITY V WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS!
“Unfortunately Jeong, unbeknownst probably even to himself thought he was playing with a little niggle,” Stajcic told reporters.
“But had a little bit of a stress reaction in his ankle. So he’s actually been playing with that and through a fair bit of pain over the last couple of weeks.
“He’s ruled out and one door closes and another one opens for someone else. We will have to re-jig the backline a little bit this week and give someone else an opportunity.”
INS & OUTS ROUND 6: Socceroo back from suspension, Western United dealt big injury blow
GAME-BY-GAME PREVIEW: What you need to know for Round 6 of the Isuzu UTE A-League
The Wanderers have collected four points from their first five matches of the season to six five points outside of the top six and adrift of five-placed City.
City, who had the bye during Unite Round, are three points off top spot.
