Sky Blues star Joe Lolley must overcome groin problem to play against Melbourne City

A key member of Sydney FC’s side is battling a groin injury ahead of one of the Sky Blues’ most important games of the A-League season.

Sydney FC is sweating on the fitness of key winger Joe Lolley ahead of the Sky Blues’ crucial A-League clash with Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Saturday.

Having suffered a 1-0 weekend loss to Western United at Ironbark Fields, Sydney will miss the finals series if they lose to second-placed City.

Currently a point outside the top-six, the Sky Blues will displace Adelaide United – who have a bye in this weekend’s final round of the regular season – from sixth spot if they can at least secure a draw in Melbourne.

However, their hopes of playing finals football will take a blow if attacking weapon Lolley is unavailable for selection.

The 32-year-old Englishman limped off in the 61st minute of Sydney’s loss to Western United with what Sky Blues coach Ufuk Talay later confirmed as a groin problem.

“He felt his groin, so we had a look at him at half-time,” Talay said.

“He said he could keep going but I thought he came to a point where if we’re not getting 100 per cent out of a player, it’s an opportunity to make a change.”

Sydney FC is sweating on the fitness of Joe Lolley, Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

The Sky Blues are also expected to again be without central defender Alex Grant, who hasn’t played since suffering a calf injury in Sydney’s 3-2 away win over Adelaide on April 5.

However, in better news Polish striker Patryk Klimala and Brazilian midfielder Leo Sena are expected to return from respective knee and calf problems.

Talay said his players would “understand” what was required on Saturday.

“We’ve got one (regular season) game to go where we need to at least pick up a point to put ourselves in a position to play finals football,” he said.

“We’ve had a clear picture all season of what we wanted to do and what we wanted to achieve.

“We played in two competitions where the boys did well in the (AFC Champions League Two competition) to get themselves to (a semi-final).

“Now we need to push for one more game to be able to play (A-League) finals football.”

A City win on Saturday would guarantee the Melbourne club second spot on the table and a spot in next season’s lucrative AFC Champions League Elite competition.

City coach Aurelio Vidmar said there would be a “hell of a lot to play for”.

“It’s a big game (against) a tough opponent,” Vidmar said.