Wellington Phoenix head coach Giancarlo ‘Chiefy’ Italiano said star veteran Marco Rojas is facing four weeks on the sidelines due to an ankle injury.
Rojas was a late omission from last week’s 4-1 Isuzu UTE A-League loss to Western Sydney Wanderers after twisting his ankle in training and the 45-time New Zealand international is set for more time off the pitch.
“Expected return to play probably about three-four weeks at the moment,” Italiano told reporters of Rojas ahead of Saturday’s Round 10 showdown against Newcastle Jets amid the Phoenix’s three-game losing streak.
“We just have to see how his ankle settles down. That’s probably more ongoing than anything. Being conservative it would be a four-week stint. If it’s a bit better, it might be three weeks.
“It’s disappointing. I think the group as well miss that at the moment. It’s going to be an opportunity for some younger players to step up and take that chance.
