Melbourne Heart FC has been dealt a blow ahead of the Melbourne Derby after receiving confirmation stand-in captain Matt Thompson has been ruled out of the match through injury.
Melbourne Heart FC has been dealt a blow ahead of the Melbourne Derby after receiving confirmation stand-in captain Matt Thompson has been ruled out of the match through injury.
Thompson was substituted midway through the second half of Heart-s 1-3 loss to Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium complaining of discomfort after emerging second best from a challenge with Ben Sigmund.
While the Club was initially hopeful Thompson would be able to recover in time for the match, scans have confirmed the midfielder has suffered a sprained knee, which is set to sideline him for up to four weeks.
With Thompson out of action, Wayne Srhoj is likely to earn a recall to the Heart starting eleven for the first time since the last Melbourne Derby on December 23.
Srhoj-s composure and guile will provide added poise to the Heart midfield, neatly complementing Jonatan Germano-s all-energy style while playing to the strengths of wide players Rutger Worm and Alex Terra.
Although Thompson-s injury has soured Heart-s preparations for the crucial cross town clash, the news has been tempered somewhat by Club Captain Fred-s progress.
The Brazilian, who has been sidelined since aggravating a groin injury during Heart-s 1-1 draw with Gold Coast United on January 8, is a fortnight away from returning to Hyundai A-League action, providing a boost to the Club-s top four aspirations.
Meanwhile, the Club-s High Performance Staff have confirmed youngster Kliment Taseski will return to action next week, enabling the former Jimmy Rooney Medallist to resume full training for the first time since fracturing his foot in a National Youth League hit out in October.
Having made strong progress in his bid to return to fitness from a back injury, Nick Kalmar is also in line for a February return, potentially placing the Club in line to have a full complement of players available for selection.
Kamal Ibrahim and Adrian Zahra featured for the National Youth League side in its 2-2 draw with Gold Coast United on Sunday.
