Young Star's Career in Jeopardy After Injury
Newcastle Jets coach Mark Milligan faces the challenge of losing teenage talent Oscar Fryer for the rest of the A-League season following a severe knee injury. Fryer likely ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Jets' 4-1 loss to Sydney FC at McDonald Jones Stadium.
"There are a few things to go through, but it doesn't look great," Milligan said. "You don't want to see that happen to anybody, especially Ossie, who has had such a tough run already. Fingers crossed it is not as serious as we first thought."
Injury Crisis Deepens for Jets
The Jets are already missing key players, including Japanese star Kota Mizunuma and last season's top scorer Eli Adams, both sidelined with long-term hamstring injuries. Mizunuma has missed the first three games of the season and has only recently returned to light training. Adams remains weeks away from recovery.
Regulation Limits Replacement Options
Milligan criticized the league's regulation that prevents clubs from signing injury replacements unless the injured player’s contract exceeds $300,000 a season.
"We have had the same issue with Kota. When we have serious injuries in the club, we are unable to replace them because we don't meet the threshold money-wise, which I think is absolutely ridiculous."
"If it is a long-term injury, we can only replace them if they are on more than $300,000. We don't have any of those players," Milligan added.
Team's Outlook
The injury setbacks leave Newcastle Jets with limited options as they struggle to maintain performance without key players.
Author's summary: The Newcastle Jets suffer a significant blow as young Oscar Fryer faces a serious knee injury, spotlighting the restrictive league rules hampering effective squad replacements.