Australia NewsAloisi's Debut On Hold Again |
JOHN Aloisi is facing a longer injury lay-off than first thought and it is likely to be September before Sydney FC fans get to see their marquee star in action.
To see today's training session...
Initially the forward had only been expected to miss the first game of the new season against Melbourne Victory but that now appears an overly optimistic view.
Kosmina has vowed that Aloisi will only return when he is fit to do so and that he will not be rushed back to appease fans, sponsors, broadcasters or anyone else.
Aloisi worked out in the gym today while his colleagues were put through their paces by coach Kosmina at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Speaking after training at the SFS Kosmina said: “Johnny will still be a while away.
“I can’t quite honestly see Johnny being available before September. Once he gets back on the track I want to see him get through at least two to three weeks of solid training, competitive training, apart from the conditioning work he’s got to do as well.”
Kosmina is not interested in getting Aloisi fit enough for a short burst of action. He wants him ready to cope with the long haul.
He said: “From my perspective as a coach I want Johnny on the park for long periods of time. That doesn’t mean 60 minutes, it means 90 minutes. Then 90 minutes the week after and the week after that.
“I don’t want to try and bring John back too quick because either the media expect it, the fans expect it, or the FFA wants it or the sponsors want it, I don’t care about that. It’s the best interests of the player.
“Johnny will do the right amount of rehabilitation and he won’t come back until we think he’s ready.
“He is going to need some time on the training paddock to start with to get some conditioning and some form and he’s going to need matches as well.
“He won’t be forced back unless he’s 100 per cent ready.”
Tony Popovic's hamstring niggle has improved sufficiently to allow him to face Wellington Phoenix tomorrow but Brendan Santalab is still recovering from a quad tear.
American Mike Enfield is definitely sidelined until the end of September following a knee operation.
To see today's training session...
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