Melbourne Victory’s A-League title hopes and Archie Thompson’s World Cup aspirations have been damaged after the star striker was sidelined for at least a month through injury.
Scans revealed Thompson has a broken bone in his foot.
He joins suspended Melbourne skipper Kevin Muscat on the sidelines for the two remaining fixtures which will determine whether the Victory can secure a top two finish.
Coach Ernie Merrick said Thompson’s best case scenario was to resume playing in week two of the A-League finals.
That also leaves the 31-year-old a mountain to climb to have any hope of making the Socceroos’ World Cup squad, as he won’t be fit enough to play in the Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia in Brisbane on March 3.
Thompson would then only have the Victory’s Asian Champions League campaign to impress ahead of the World Cup squad being named in May.
In a dismal 24 hours for the Victory, the club also ruled out appealing Muscat’s two-match suspension for elbowing Gold Coast’s Jason Culina in the head, which sidelines the skipper until the first week of the finals.
Losing their two most influential players leading up to the finals is a huge blow to the defending champions, who are locked in a three-way battle with Sydney FC and Gold Coast United for major semi-final places.
But Merrick was putting a brave face on the Victory’s title chase despite Thompson’s loss.
“It’s always tough when you lose to players like Archie Thompson and Kevin Muscat, but that’s football,” Merrick said.
“It’s not good news (about Thompson) but our surgeon has suggested it doesn’t need surgery at all … so he should be right to play for us in the second part of the finals series.
“We’ve got good depth and good strength up front as well as at the back.
“We’ve got a tremendous belief in the players that we have. We think we’re well set up to go well in both the finals and the Asian Champions League.”
Adding to the Victory’s woes is that Robbie Kruse – Thompson’s nominal replacement in a more advanced striker’s role – is still under an injury cloud of his own since being pole-axed by Gold Coast midfielder Steve Pantelidis last weekend.
Merrick said Kruse was only a “60-40” chance of recovering from his shoulder injury in time for Friday night’s clash with North Queensland Fury at Etihad Stadium.
Rarely-played striker Nathan Elasi has been added to the Victory squad as cover for Kruse.
danny
Guest
branko culina seemed a pretty outspoken opponent of the move. when was it that song made his debut for the jets?
VIS
Guest
Seems like a loophole in the rules that contravene the fairness of the game, but tell me any team that was in a similar situation wouldn't have done the same so well done to Ernie and co for finding a clever solution to bad situation (made worse again by Kemps injury). Be interesting what the football writers cite as a precedent for or against this being legal. Cant wait to hear what conspiracy theories Miron and Clive give us tomorrow!
VIS
Guest
Seems like a loophole in the rules that contravene the fairness of the game, but tell me any team that was in a similar situation would have done the same I imagine, so well done to Ernie and co for finding a clever solution to bad situation (made worse again by Kemps injury). Be interesting what the football writers cite as a precedent for or against this being legal. Cant wait to hear what conspiracy theories Miron and Clive give us tomorrow!
Art Sapphire
Guest
As long as he does is in rehab at CCM that's fine by me. He only has to stay injury free fit for 10-11 matches while he is with Victory. That's not asking to much. In that time he can make himself a hero by scoring the winning goal in the Grand Final. Something he has no hope of achieving at CCM :)
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
But will he end up doing those things in a CCM shirt while at rehab? That would test the power of the gentlemans agreement he has for a 2 year extension once his stint at MV ends.
Art Sapphire
Guest
AndyRoo - a) he will cry b) get very upset c) not play football for a long time d) all of the above
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I wonder what happens if he does his knee while playing for MV.
danny
Guest
My bad, seems Angulo was originally injury cover but later signed outright once Ney Fabiano left. As you were...
danny
Guest
He's not been signed as injury cover for Celeski; Marvin Angulo has that honour. Mrdja's been signed as a free agent. And has (at least) a gentleman's agreement for a further contract with the Mariners. Good outcome for the Victory, not many Australian free-agent strikers around. And good for the Mariners too, provided he stays fit. All a bit dodgy though, in my opinion.
Lazza
Guest
Couldn't happen to nicer bunch of muffins. Hope you implode in the finals and go out first round in the ACL again. Adelaide will carry the torch and redeem our reputation in Asia again. I'm not bitter, honestly I'm not.
Art Sapphire
Guest
With Archie out for a month. Merrick and MVFC have done well to solve the current striker crisis. Its a win win for everybody. CCM save on paying 6 months wages to Nik. Victory get a striker for 6 months and can take their time signing up a new striker before the next a-League season.
whiskeymac
Roar Rookie
hopefully he stays fit - he seems to have had a run of injuries inthe past. plus his strike rate aint great, butmaybe feeding off the service of players like Hernandez, Ward etc is what he needs to get going.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Nik Mrdja has signed a contract to play for Victory for the next 6 months. He has been signed as an injury replacement for Billy Celeski. The Mariners have terminated his current contract, but he will be re-sign with the Mariners in August for another 2 years. Good news for Victory as they need cover for the Finals and ACL campaign.
Davstar
Guest
WIthout Muscet we were going to lose anyway remember how bad we did at the start of the season without him. I think GCU deseve to win the ACL its their first season and they have played very well they have brought a lot to the A-league.