Auckland FC Head Coach Steve Corica has confirmed star striker Sam Cosgrove has suffered a devastating ankle injury but will still push through the pain barrier for Saturday’s Elimination Final with Melbourne City.
The English forward was spotted training alone on Thursday morning in Auckland, raising alarm bells ahead of this weekend’s showdown with Melbourne City.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Black Knights boss Steve Corica then confirmed the unfortunate news regarding the Isuzu UTE A-League’s top scorer.
“Sam’s actually done his ankle. He’s ruptured ligaments in his ankle.”
However, whilst the diagnosis appears to be a shocking one Corica says the English forward will still play some part against City on Saturday after picking up the injury during the Round 26 clash with Sydney FC.
“You can see him out here today training lightly. He’ll try and train tomorrow, and then we’ll make a decision whether he starts or maybe comes off the bench.
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“Obviously it’s something we have to see with him, where his head’s at, and, you know, if he can last 90 minutes.”
Corica later added: “He’s focused. He’s ready. He wants to be available at some part of the game, whether it’s off the bench or starting.
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“Ideally for us he’d be better starting. Obviously he’s been our main focus for us all season. He gives us that height, the aerial ability. You know, he’s our leading goal scorer as well.”
In another injury blow to the Black Knights, Corica also confirmed prolific scorer Jesse Randall is ‘touch and go’ for the clash at Go Media Stadium after complaining of a tight groin whilst midfield general Felipe Gallegos is also out after injuring his hamstring.
Despite the club’s injury news though Corica says the squad are fired up for the must-win clash at Go Media Stadium.
“You can definitely tell it’s finals week. I was excited after obviously, we knew we had to play, (so we’re) just preparing as normal.
“With that excitement, also knowing you know what’s at stake right at the moment, do-or-die match against City, and then hopefully we get through it, and then we play Adelaide.
He added: “It is definitely a pressure game, because it’s a one off game. It’s a do-or-die moment. The whole team was watching the (Sydney) game, obviously, the last kick of the game changed everything. So the mindset had to change.
“The focus had to change quickly. Obviously, we knew what we’re up against and what we had to do. We were going to back up the next week, and obviously a couple of players weren’t in training today, but we give them the most amount of time to recover and get set for what’s going to be our biggest game.”
