Injuries to key players Matt Millar and Daniel de Silva couldn’t have come at a worse time for Macarthur FC.
Millar, pictured above, injured his quad tendon on the day before the Western Sydney Wanderers game on January 1 and scans have confirmed that he will be sidelined for more than 12 weeks.
De Silva tore his hamstring in the away game to Perth Glory on December 23. Following an MRI scan, he is expected to be sidelined for 8 to 12 weeks.
Also on the injury list is Jake McGing, who is in rehab following an acute pelvic injury sustained in pre season.
On top of that, midfielder Charles M’Mombwa is away at the African Cup of Nations Tournament with Tanzania and will be unavailable for four weeks.
However, Bulls midfielder Jake Hollman says the team that runs on to Campbelltown Stadium tonight (Friday, January 5) to take on Newcastle Jets is determined to return to the winners list after three losses on the trot.
Hollman, who scored the team’s only goal in the 3-1 defeat, said the Bulls were going to bounce back against the Jets.
He said it was “unfortunate’’ that Millar and de Silva were out injured.
“They are both great boys, great players, but the boys who play against the Jets will make sure we get back to our winning ways,’’ Hollman said.
“We’re very confident what we can bring as a team and as individuals, and we’re confident we can bounce back.’’
As for Macarthur FC coach Mile Sterjovski, his focus will almost definitely be on defence, which has been a bit of a horror show in the past three games.
After a great start to the season when they conceded just nine goals in seven games, the Bulls let in another nine goals in the past three matches.
They went down 3-0 to the Phoenix, 3-2 to the Mariners and 3-1 to the Wanderers five days ago.
It’s worth pointing out that very few of those goals were due to mistakes from goalie Filip Kurto, who has actually saved many others.
If the Bulls want to be serious premiership contenders, they must tighten up their defence, pure and simple.
Hopefully it all starts tonight at Campbelltown Stadium.
Kick off is scheduled for 7.45pm.
