Wellington Phoenix is sweating over the fitness of two key players ahead of their women’s A-League season opener after they suffered injuries while on international duty with the Football Ferns.
Midfielder Grace Wisnewski denied a potential New Zealand debut after tearing his calf muscle in training ahead of Saturday’s 1-0 loss to South Koreathe injury cut short his first Football Ferns camp.
Forward Emma Rolston, who has been plagued with back problems, started the match at Christchurch’s Orangetheory Stadium. but it lasted less than 15 minutes and had to be replaced.
Injuries have created new headaches for Phoenix coach Natalie Lawrence, who is without her captain for Sunday’s season opener against Melbourne City at Sky Stadium, the team’s first home game.
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Wisnewski, a New Zealand under-20 international, was a regular starter for the Phoenix last season, while Rolston He was one of the club’s great pre-season signingsreturning to New Zealand after recent seasons in Germany and Norway.
Wisnewski flew home to Wellington to begin his rehabilitation immediately after sustaining a calf injury and Lawrence said the 20-year-old would have every opportunity to prove his fitness on Sunday after surprising the club’s medical staff with his recovery. .
Blake Armstrong/Photosport
Emma Rolston receives care after being injured early in the Football Ferns’ loss to South Korea.
“She has a different body,” Lawrence said. “That’s a quote from Suzy [Falconer], our physio. In fact, he’s going to go out there and try to run and kick today. She is vastly ahead of schedule.
“When we first received the report, it seemed like several weeks, but now he is working very, very hard.
“We are being sensible. It was a small tear in part of her calf. But she is confusing everyone with how well she is presenting.
“Suzy, our physio, is working her as hard as she can to see if she can be available this weekend.”
WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Football Fern Emma Rolston makes an ‘unexpected’ return home to play for the Wellington Phoenix.
Lawrence said he planned to travel to Christchurch for the Football Ferns’ second game against South Korea on Tuesday night, where he hoped to learn more about Rolston’s condition.
Rolston has stayed with the Football Ferns and was scheduled to return to the capital on Wednesday, but Lawrence said he did not know if he would play the second game against South Korea.
“We are waiting to hear how Rollo is doing,” Lawrence said. “We know with her she just needs to be handled with her back a little bit, so I don’t really see any major concerns there, but we’ll catch up with her.
“I’ll go there today, so I’ll catch up with you today or tomorrow, but I imagine you’re all feeling fine.”
If Wisnewski is not cleared to face City, it would leave Phoenix with two central midfielders against a tough opponent, with the return of Australia’s under-20 representative Isabel Gomez, last season’s other starting central midfielder already ruled out. from the first round with a foot injury sustained during preseason.
Captain and goalkeeper Lily Alfeld will also miss at least the first three rounds. after undergoing minor knee surgerywhile Lawrence said another player, whose identity he did not want to reveal, was in doubt due to a concussion.
“Izzy won’t be [available] she has a bruise on her foot bone so she probably needs a couple of weeks and then we’re waiting for another one who is recovering from a concussion but it might be too soon for her this weekend.”
Phoenix players Betsy Hassett, Paige Satchell and Mackenzie Barry all made it out of the Football Ferns’ first game against South Korea unscathed, while Kate Taylor, who was due to lead the Phoenix in Alfeld’s absence, was not part of the team. working day.
Hassett played the full 90 minutes, Satchell was pulled at halftime after returning from recent surgery and Barry had seven minutes left.
Lawrence said Phoenix would get its Football Ferns back on Thursday, giving them three practice sessions as a full team before their first game.
