Hume City hoping to sign a former Turkish international ahead of FFA Cup quarter final against Central Coast Mariners

FFA Cup minnows Hume City are sweating on approval of a former Turkish international as a marquee signing for its quarter-final clash against Central Coast after injury decimated its goalkeeping stocks.

Hume City coach Nick Hegarty. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Hume City’s FFA Cup hopes rest on the approval of a marquee signing from Football Federation Australia.

The Cup minnows have applied to sign former Turkey international goalkeeper Cenk Gonen for its quarter final clash against Central Coast Mariners on September 17.

First-choice keeper and qualifying penalty shootout hero Michael Weier dislocated his shoulder in the NPL elimination final loss to Oakleigh.

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Second-choice gloveman James Kapuranovski has a meniscus tear and the club’s under-20s are in the off-season.

If the FFA were to deny City’s application, it would almost certainly mean a walk over for the Mariners.

Gonen, 31, has been capped twice by Turkey and spent seven years between giants Besiktas and Galatasaray, winning two Turkish Cups.

Michael Weier captained Hume City in the FFA Cup win over Adelaide Olympic.

City coach Nick Hegarty was hopeful Gonen would gain approval but knew the governing body had certain criteria for international signings.

“Cenk, his career speaks for itself, he’s made international appearances … to bring someone in for one game they have to be an exceptional level,” he said.

“If we can get the local fans interested in seeing someone who’s played for Besiktas for so long and the Turkish national team then that’s a bonus.

“It will be massive for our club and the FFA Cup itself.”

A decision is expected on Monday.

Weier helped City secure its place in the national Round of 32 in a penalty shootout win over Oakleigh.

Hume City coach Nick Hegarty. Picture: Andy Brownbill

And it was against the Cannons that his season ended.

Kapuranovski played out the game as City’s NPL campaign ended with a 2-0 loss and Hegarty didn’t believe he was ready for a blockbuster FFA Cup clash.

“Myself and the club are pretty disappointed for Micky, for me he’s been one of the goalkeepers of the year in our league,” he said.

“Mikey’s out for the season and our second choice keeper, who’s been fantastic when called upon has got a meniscus tear in his knee as well.

“He was able to get through the 20-30 minutes against Oakleigh but it’s 50-50 with him, so we had to look to replace them.

“Our under-20s are on holiday, our second choice has a meniscus tear, so realistically, we’d have to bring someone in to sit on the bench or play anyway.”

City will host its first home tie of this year’s FFA Cup national stage.

Hegarty’s men claimed impressive wins over Cooma Tigers in Canberra and Adelaide Olympic in Adelaide in the Round of 32 and Round of 16 respectively.