Melbourne City’s marquee player injury curse has struck again with Robert Koren ruled out of A-League action until at least December.
The Slovenian midfielder has suffered a recurrence of a calf muscle injury and coach John van `t Schip says it’ll be four weeks before he can even resume training.
“We had big hopes he would be available for the game against Newcastle but he got a setback on Friday when we were training at AAMI (Park),” van `t Schip said.
“From that setback we have the results … he had an MRI and it’s not looking better.
“He’s going to be out for a few weeks, and that’s a big disappointment.”
Van `t Schip said while he was frustrated the 34-year-old would be unavailable for the Melbourne derby this Saturday and onwards, it was nothing compared with the player’s own annoyance.
“For us all it’s a big disappointment, for Robi it’s the biggest disappointment,” he said.
“Ten days before the start (of the season) he got this injury that seemed very little.
“Because he re-injured himself in the same spot it’s going to take longer.”
Van `t Schip ruled out a quick dip into the transfer market to cover.
“We’re not looking at that at all,” he said.
“Where do you get someone in for five weeks? It has to be someone that’s not playing, not having a club and he’s probably out of condition and the moment he’s good, he has to leave again.
“And having the pedigree of Koren – you’re talking about something that doesn’t exist.
Koren was originally slated to play in an advanced midfielder or creative playmaker position – a role he has filled for Hull City and West Bromwich Albion in the top two leagues in English football.
City have begun their first A-League campaign with their new name with two 1-1 draws.
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