Daniel De Silva won't be risked for Sydney FC's opening A-League clash with Adelaide United on Friday.
Coach Steve Corica says the 21-year-old might be available for the second week of the campaign when the Sky Blues face Western Sydney in the derby at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
De Silva has had an interrupted pre-season since arriving on loan from Central Coast.
He picked up a hamstring injury several weeks ago, and wasn't used in last week's FFA Cup semi-final victory against Wanderers.
We want him fit and ready to go, especially with the cup [final] coming up as well.
Steve Corica
The former Perth Glory player has joined fellow attacking recruit Trent Buhagiar on the sidelines for the meeting with United. Buhagiar tore his ACL in a training game at the weekend.
Corica said of De Silva "[He is] maybe not ready for this week, but very close for the one after. I'm looking forward to having him back; he's a quality player, a young talent as well, very exciting.
"We want him fit and ready to go, especially with the cup [final] coming up as well."
With De Silva and Buhagiar both out of the Adelaide trip, which will be Corica's first league game in charge, skipper Alex Brosque is certain to start at Coopers Stadium.
It could also give a chance to promising youngster Charles Lokolingoy.
Corica said he had learned a lot from being Graham Arnold's right-hand man over the past couple of years before replacing him when Arnold accepted the Socceroos job.
"We have a lot of the same beliefs in football...he's pretty much set me up to take on this role and I'm ready," added the coach. "The boys are [too] and that's the main thing."
Sydney FC are 4/1 to win the Grand Final.
The Sky Blues are 5/4 to win their first game of the league season against Adelaide United, who are 12/5 with the draw 9/4.
View all Soccer betting
Daniel De Silva won't be risked for Sydney FC's opening A-League clash with Adelaide United on Friday.
Coach Steve Corica says the 21-year-old might be available for the second week of the campaign when the Sky Blues face Western Sydney in the derby at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
De Silva has had an interrupted pre-season since arriving on loan from Central Coast.
He picked up a hamstring injury several weeks ago, and wasn't used in last week's FFA Cup semi-final victory against Wanderers.
We want him fit and ready to go, especially with the cup [final] coming up as well.
Steve Corica
The former Perth Glory player has joined fellow attacking recruit Trent Buhagiar on the sidelines for the meeting with United. Buhagiar tore his ACL in a training game at the weekend.
Corica said of De Silva "[He is] maybe not ready for this week, but very close for the one after. I'm looking forward to having him back; he's a quality player, a young talent as well, very exciting.
"We want him fit and ready to go, especially with the cup [final] coming up as well."
With De Silva and Buhagiar both out of the Adelaide trip, which will be Corica's first league game in charge, skipper Alex Brosque is certain to start at Coopers Stadium.
It could also give a chance to promising youngster Charles Lokolingoy.
Corica said he had learned a lot from being Graham Arnold's right-hand man over the past couple of years before replacing him when Arnold accepted the Socceroos job.
"We have a lot of the same beliefs in football...he's pretty much set me up to take on this role and I'm ready," added the coach. "The boys are [too] and that's the main thing."
Sydney FC are 4/1 to win the Grand Final.
The Sky Blues are 5/4 to win their first game of the league season against Adelaide United, who are 12/5 with the draw 9/4.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com