Sydney FC full back Kirsty Fenton has had scans which have confirmed she has ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament, as well as sustaining damage to her medial cruciate ligament and meniscus.
The 20-year old was injured while attempting a tackle in the 10th minute of Sydney FC’s 4-2 win over Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.
Fenton was helped off the field by team-mates in noticeable pain. She will have surgery in early April and her recovery will take between nine and twelve months.
“It’s a kick in the guts and not something you want to hear, especially coming to the end of the season where we are aiming to make history,” she said.
“It’s not ideal and I’m going to miss being out there with the girls but I know they and everyone at the club will have my back, and I’ll get this and come back stronger.
“I’ve spoken to girls who have done it recently and they’ve all said that you find yourself and you come back stronger mentally.
“That’s what I’ll focus on, myself, my mental side and coming back better than I was before.
“But obviously it hurts. Knowing that I have Nat [Captain Nat Tobin also coming back from ACL] makes me feel a lot better.
“It sucks for her as well and she shouldn’t be going through it either, but I’m glad I have someone like her to help get me through it.”
Head Coach Ante Juric said: “Our heart goes out to Kirsty, because she’s an important person and important player in the team.
“It’s disappointing to have her out and for the team to suffer another major injury.
“We’ve used these setbacks before as motivation to perform for our injured players and we’ll be looking to do that in the final matches of this season.”
Fenton will miss Sydney FC’s three remaining games of the regular season and Finals Series campaign, starting with this Sunday’s clash with Adelaide United at Leichhardt Oval – 4pm kick off.
The Sky Blues will record an A-Leagues record fourth consecutive Premiership if they win two of their remaining three games.
