Sydney FC face starting A-League season without goalkeepers

Sydney FC’s title defence is off to an unsteady start, given they will be forced to start the new A-League season without their senior goalkeepers.

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Sydney FC are facing a potential goalkeeping crisis for the first round of the A-League season, with both senior keepers potentially absent on international duty.

Andrew Redmayne’s selection in the Australian squad for the World Cup qualifier in Kuwait next week appears to have cemented his position in the wake of Danny Vukovic’s season-ending injury, while back-up Tom Heward-Belle is currently away with the Olyroos.

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Sydney FC’s grand final hero Andrew Redmayne is in line for a Socceroos call-up. Picture: Getty Images

Both the Socceroos and Olyroos will have games in the international window next month, with the Socceroos playing on Thursday October 10 in Canberra against Nepal – 24 hours before Sydney open the A-League season away to Adelaide.

Their absences would be compounded by Rhyan Grant’s likely selection in the Socceroos, and Sky Blues head coach Steve Corica is mulling over various options, including flying Redmayne from Canberra to Adelaide on the morning of October 11, or asking for Heward-Belle to be released early from the Olyroos camp.

Genk's Australian keeper Danny Vukovic has suffered a season-ending injury. Picture: AFP

In the interim, Corica has brought in Blacktown City goalkeeper Tristan Prendergast and Sydney’s U18 goalkeeper, Levi Kaye, to join the club’s pre-season camp in Cairns that starts tomorrow, with Redmayne and Heward Belle both absent.

Prendergast and Kaye could in theory earn involvement at the start of the A-League campaign if they impress.

Sydney CEO Danny Townsend confirmed the club is exploring a variety of options for the Round 1 clash in Adelaide, the start of the Sky Blues’ title defence.

Rhyan Grant is in line for a Socceroos call-up. Picture: Getty Images

“The squads are yet to be announced for the October matches, however we are monitoring the situation and our football department is working closely with the national teams set up and the FFA,” Townsend said.

“We understand how important these games are for the national teams as well as for Sydney FC and the A-League heading into a new season, so I’m certain with a willingness to compromise from both sides we’ll find a common sense solution.”

Other clubs also face significant loss of talent to international call-ups, with Melbourne City having five players in the Olyroos squad in camp this week and striker Jamie Maclaren in the Socceroos.

Sydney FC coach Steve Corica has a selection headache. Picture: Getty Images

Adelaide also have four players in the Olyroos, and under rules put in place for this season – with the A-League not breaking for international windows – clubs in that position could seek to have their A-League games postponed.

However it’s understood all club owners have determined that the Round 1 fixtures must go ahead as planned to enable maximum possible promotion of the start of the competition’s first season independent from FFA control.

Originally published as Sydney FC face starting A-League season without goalkeepers