Advara HeartCare Injury Report: Leckie to miss extended period following surgery

Mathew Leckie today underwent surgery on his right hip, ruling the City star out for an extended period. 

After extensive consultation with specialists, Leckie and the Club have elected for a procedure designed to restore full hip movement and give him the best chance for a consistent return to play, following repeated soft-tissue injuries across the past two seasons. The surgery is expected to keep him sidelined until the latter stages of the campaign. 

City has travelled to South Korea without Samuel Souprayen (achilles) and Besian Kutleshi (ankle) for tonight’s AFC Champions League Elite clash. 

Souprayen was withdrawn from the trip after an achilles flare-up following the team’s clash against Central Coast, but remains a chance to return for next Saturday night’s Melbourne Derby. 

Kutleshi, who sustained an ankle injury late last week in training, will be further assessed once the squad returns home. 

There’s positive news for Andrew Nabbout, who is progressing through the concussion return-to-play protocols and is anticipated to be available for the Derby. 

Further good news comes with the progress of a young trio returning from long-term injuries. James Nieuwenhuizen (ACL), Lawrence Wong (MCL) and Alessandro Lopane (ankle) are all back on the pitch completing key stages of their rehab programs and remain on course to return around mid-season.