Crushing blow for Sydney FC with confirmation Joe Lolley’s final A-League campaign is over

Sydney FC’s worst fears have been realized following confirmation that Sky Blues talisman Joe Lolley’s final A-League campaign is over.

In a blow to Sydney’s title chances, star winger Lolley will not play again this season due to a hamstring injury he suffered when scoring in his team’s 4-0 exit last weekend. week against Macarthur FC.

The 31-year-old Englishman was substituted immediately after scoring his goal and appeared dejected as he contemplated the severity of the injury and its ramifications.

“Unfortunately, he has several weeks of rehabilitation ahead of him, so he will miss the rest of the season,” Sky Blues coach Ufuk Talay confirmed on Tuesday.

Lolley was dropped on a night when captain Luke Brattan was also injured, although he has a chance to return for the remainder of the finals series.

It was a bittersweet night for Sydney FC in their A-League knockout final against Macarthur FC, losing two players to injuries.

In better news for Sydney, Talay was “optimistic” that captain Luke Brattan would be fit to play in his team’s semi-final first leg against the Central Coast Mariners at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

Midfielder Brattan injured his ankle in the final minutes of the win over Macarthur.

“We are working day by day with Luke, but the good news is that there is no fracture,” Talay said.

“The rest has gone well for him and his ankle is improving every day.

“If he continues to improve at his current rate, then I’m optimistic he’ll be ready by Friday night.”

Talay challenged his team to get up in the absence of Lolley.

“It’s a tough blow as Joe has had a fantastic year, but we have great strength in depth and players who have already shown they have what it takes to step in and perform in the big games,” he said.

“Now is the perfect opportunity for them to do it again.”