Embattled Sydney FC is set to accept the two-match ban slapped on star import Joe Lolley for the horror tackle that could sideline Macarthur FC midfielder Danny De Silva for up to three months.
De Silva is awaiting scan results on a knee injury, with fears he has a torn medial collateral ligament after his leg buckled after copping the studs of Lolley’s boot as the Englishman lunged to regather the ball during Sydney’s 3-0 Christmas Eve loss to the Bulls at Allianz Stadium.
The Sky Blues have until Wednesday 3pm (AEDT) to decide whether to challenge the length of the suspension.
However, the club’s chief executive officer Adam Santo on Tuesday said an appeal was unlikely.
“At this stage we’re leaning towards accepting the two games,” Santo said.
“It’s a big loss for us. Joe’s been arguably our best player this season.”
A Macarthur official declined to comment when asked if a two-match ban for Lolley – who was shown a straight red card – was sufficient for a tackle that will rob the Bulls of De Silva’s services possibly until the end of March.
Lolley’s suspension has come at the worst possible time for Sydney coach Steve Corica, who is under increasing pressure to keep his job.
The Sky Blues have lost four of their past five A-League matches and have dropped to 10th spot on the ladder.
It’s a spot Corica can ill-afford for his team to be in, particularly after the side’s failure to play finals football last season.
Anything less than a win against the Newcastle Jets on Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium could prove disastrous for Corica in his bid to remain in charge of the five-time A-League champions.
“’Bimbi’ would be very disappointed with our recent results,” Santo said of Corica.
“Our next two games against Newcastle and Wellington (January 7) are very important.”