‘Emotional’ Sydney FC star Luke Brattan in tears following season-ending injury

Luke Brattan’s ACL tear is among a handful of injuries haunting A-League heavyweights Sydney FC.

Sydney FC coach Steve Corica wants his side to show more ‘cutting edge’ in attack. Picture: Mohamed Farag / Getty Images

Shattered Sydney FC star Luke Brattan was in tears as he contemplated up to a year on the sidelines after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Brattan’s coach, Steve Corica, and his teammates have rallied around the 31-year-old midfielder, who suffered the season-ending knee injury in the Sky Blues’ 4-2 FFA Cup round-of-32 win over Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground on Wednesday night.

“It’s obviously a big blow for him and the club – he’s a big player for us and we’re very disappointed,” Corica said.

“He was in tears the other day. He’s a very emotional guy, but he’s got a great family around him, good support by the club as well and all the boys, so we’ll get right behind him.

“A few of the other boys have done these injuries before and we’ll get him through it, no problem.”

Brattan will have surgery next week, with Corica open to the idea of the former Brisbane Roar star returning home to Queensland during his recovery.

Sydney has other injury problems ahead of its clash against Macarthur at Jubilee Stadium on Saturday night.

Sydney FC coach Steve Corica is dealing with a host of injury problems. Picture: Mark Evans / Getty Images

Attacking pair Bobo and Kosta Barbarouses remain sidelined, as are defenders James Donachie and Connor O’Toole.

“I’d like to give a few boys a rest, but we can’t because we’re a little bit low on numbers,” Corica said.
“We need to get through this week, and hopefully next week we get a few boys back.”

Long-term casualty Michael Zullo seems no closer to returning from ongoing calf problems.

“He hasn’t played for (nearly) two seasons now,” Corica said of his left-back.

“He’s positive and wants to play and produce for the team.

“When he tries to come back he gets another little calf injury.”

Despite his side scoring four goals midweek against Olympic, Corica wants more “cutting edge” in attack after last weekend’s 0-0 A-League derby draw with Western Sydney Wanderers.

“I thought our build-ups were good, defensively we were good as well. We just lacked that final pass or that creativity to make more chances for us,” he said.

Originally published as ‘Emotional’ Sydney FC star Luke Brattan in tears following season-ending injury