Phoenix suffer double blow
The Wellington Phoenix should know by midweek the severity of the injuries to Dario Vidosic and Marco Rossi.
The duo both left the field prematurely in the 1-0 loss to Perth Glory on Sunday morning (NZ time), with Vidosic of most concern.
The 30-year-old had arthroscopic surgery in the off-season to repair a small lateral meniscus tear in his right knee, and it was that knee which twisted badly under a challenge from Shane Lowry in the sixth minute.
Vidosic limped on for another eight minutes before he was replaced, with coach Darije Kalezic saying immediately after the game he hoped it would not be too serious.
‘‘It is difficult to say in this moment. I believe that it’s not very bad, but everything I say in this moment is not 100 per cent.
‘‘I have a feeling it’s not so bad, but obviously not good enough to play further [in this match].’’
The team flew back from Perth on Sunday, with Vidosic in line for a full assessment by Tuesday.
The Phoenix will be likely to take a cautious approach to giving out any injury information given they incorrectly ruled out Andrew Durante for 8-12 weeks when he suffered a groin injury earlier this season. He was back three weeks later.
Rossi’s calf injury did not look too serious when he made way for Hamish Watson with seven minutes to go.
It appeared to be both a safety-first approach given he struggled with a calf injury during pre-season and the first few rounds, as well as a tactical switch to bring on another striker to chase the game.
Kalezic said he was happy with the way his players battled on after Vidosic’s injury, but said they lost a lot of creativity in the final third because of it.
‘‘To be honest, with Dario we lose exceptional quality in the team.
‘‘Everybody knows with [Michael] McGlinchey and Roy Krishna they are the players who give the attacking impulse in our team.
‘‘With losing Dario we lose too much, but the players who play in that moment they play solid.’’
McGlinchey would be battling to be fit for next Saturday’s home match against league leaders Sydney FC, but Krishna was expected to be fit.
As was captain and centre back Andrew Durante, who should slot into the back four, although Kalezic has expressed his desire to have a left-footed left-centre-back this season, so it could be possible that Tom Doyle shifts into that spot, with Ali Abbas taking his position at left back.
Sunday’s match was the fourth successive away game that the Phoenix were unable to score, although they were a touch unlucky.
Matthew Ridenton hit the post early in the second half with a shot from the edge of the box, with Kalezic left to rue their misfortune.
‘‘I think we get the biggest chance of that time with Matthew Ridenton with the shot against the post. Bad luck unfortunately. Ball was not one centimetre to the right and then it’s a goal and then obviously we will be in advantage and control more of the game.’’
As it was, Diego Castro’s goal in the 59th minute sealed the Glory’s win, which lifted them from ninth to fifth on the ladder.
The Phoenix remain bottom on six points with one win, three draws and six losses. They are four points adrift of ninth and guaranteed to be last at Christmas.