Melbourne Heart FC has suffered a blow ahead of its match with Adelaide United this Wednesday after captain Fred was ruled out with a groin strain.
Melbourne Heart FC has suffered a blow ahead of its match with Adelaide United this Wednesday after captain Fred was ruled out with a groin strain.
The Brazilian, who was substituted midway through the second half of Heart-s 4-0 triumph over Sydney FC, is set to miss up to a fortnight, forcing Head Coach John van ‘t Schip to reshuffle his line-up ahead of the midweek fixture against a resurgent Reds outfit.
Fred-s injury is poised to open the door for Olyroo star Jason Hoffman to earn a place in the starting eleven following an impressive cameo off the bench last week.
Hoffman netted his first goal in Heart colours, while once again demonstrating his trademark energy in the attacking third of the park, proving a handful for the Sky Blues rearguard.
The former DC United star won-t be the only midfielder out of action however with Wayne Srhoj and Jonatan Germano also sidelined for Week 13 encounter.
The absences leave van ‘t Schip in need of a potential reshuffle as the season begins to build to a crescendo.
With Heart sitting three points behind league leaders the Central Coast Mariners, the upcoming stretch, which features six matches in 25 days is poised to be season defining for the Red and White-s as the side seeks to cement a debut Hyundai A-League Finals Series berth.
And as the lure of an Asian Champions League place sits tantalisingly on the horizon, the stakes are high for van ‘t Schip-s side, which has mounted a stellar campaign to date.
Nick Kalmar and Kliment Taseski remain the other members of the Heart squad out of action, with the duo ruled out until the end of January at the earliest.
Kalmar is seeking to overcome a back complaint while Taseski is on the road to recovery after suffering a fractured foot during a National Youth League friendly in October.
