Melbourne Victory star Nishan Velupillay in doubt for A-League grand final

There is a major fitness cloud hanging over a Melbourne Victory star ahead of Saturday night’s A-League grand final.

Melbourne Victory are sweating on the fitness of Socceroos attacker Nishan Velupillay ahead of Saturday night’s A-League grand final against Melbourne City at AAMI Park.

Having suffered a lower leg injury in the Victory’s semi-final weekend win over Auckland FC, Velupillay was seen near the club’s headquarters on Monday on crutches and with a moon boot on his right leg.

Sources close to the Victory say that club officials are remaining hopeful that Velupillay will recover in time for Saturday’s all-Victorian decider after being extremely worried after he suffered the injury in the closing stages of the first-half in his side’s 2-0 semi-final second leg win at Go Media Stadium.

Velupillay finished the half limping but didn’t reappear after half-time.

Nishan Velupillay shows his anguish after suffering a leg injury at Go Media Stadium on Saturday night. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Despite his absence, the Victory scored twice in the second-half to secure an overall 2-1 win on aggregate after losing the first-leg 1-0.

His injury came a week after experienced Victory defender Brendan Hamill ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in his side’s first-leg loss at AAMI Park.

The Victory are also expected to again be without first-choice goalkeeper Mitch Langerak, who has a foot injury and hasn’t played since the team’s 2-0 loss to Auckland on April 19.

Former Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix custodian Jack Duncan has deputised for 36-year-old Langerak in the Victory’s past five matches, and also played in the club’s first 13 games of the season before being replaced by the former Socceroos gloveman, who returned to the Melbourne outfit in January after 14 years abroad.

Originally published as Melbourne Victory star Nishan Velupillay in doubt for A-League grand final