Injury to midfielder another body blow to finals aspirations Fury stretched to limit

THE Northern Fury just can’t seem to get a break.

Fury midfielder Reid Murray has been ruled out of tonight’s Northern derby against the FNQ Heat in Cairns tonight with a groin injury done at training on Thursday night, which has stretched the club’s top- tier playing stocks to breaking point.

Fury coach Paul Roncato has again been forced into bringing new blood into his squad for the crucial Queensland NPL clash, which could have a huge bearing on the Fury’s finals prospects.

The seventh- placed Fury sit more than two wins behind the sixth- placed Heat, and only the NPL’s top six teams qualify for finals football.

Murray’s loss means Roncato is now without seasoned campaigners Jono Bagley ( suspension), Darren Walker ( injury) and Jae Eurrell ( unavailable), while Jahya McKeown is likely to be restricted to limited minutes with a troublesome hamstring.

“There hasn’t been any luck for the team lately, none whatsoever,” Roncato said.

“We were travelling great when we were injury- free, but the injuries we’ve got recently have hit us hard. It’s just a very tough period for us.”

The Fury suffered a heartbreaking 2- 1 loss to Moreton Bay Jets last weekend after having a final- minute winner controversially disallowed, with the Jets scoring just two minutes later in stoppage time.

That result left the Fury with a win from four games, although they did draw 1- all with Brisbane Olympic a fortnight ago with 10 men.

Roncato said that same effort would be needed against the Heat.

“It’s going to be a very tough challenge for us,” Roncato said.

“It would be tough even if we were at full strength, but that’s the way it goes.

“I’m sure our goalkeeper ( Ryan Murphy) will be up for a good game and our defenders have also been outstanding.

“If they can back up last weekend’s performance with another OK.”

In Fury’s last visit to Cairns they lost an FFA knockout game 3- 0.

“We had significant pregame disruptions but the good thing is we studied the way they played,” Roncato said.

“It wasn’t pretty; they went over the top of us and got us with pace.”

Tonight’s game at Endeavour Park, Cairns, kicks off at 6.30pm. big game, we’ll be