Rising Newcastle Jets goalkeeper Noah James will be out for three months because of a serious hand injury sustained at training last week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Jets announced on Tuesday that the 18-year-old had ruptured two ligaments in his hand last Thursday.
He received corrective surgery that day following consultation with doctors and specialists.
The local product is among the best young goalkeepers in the country and was part of a 26-man Young Socceroos talent identification camp in December at the AIS in Canberra.
James had been serving as back-up to Lewis Italiano in the A-League since Jets No.1 Glen Moss tore a calf muscle in the 2-1 loss to Sydney FC on January 10.
Keegan Hughes took James' spot on the bench for the goalless draw with Western United at McDonald Jones Stadium last Saturday and he is set to be there again when Newcastle host Central Coast on Sunday.
Moss, who has since announced he will retire at the end of the season, has returned to training.
The 37-year-old former Kiwi international is expected back on the pitch for Newcastle in the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, Perth winger Chris Ikonomidis is facing up to a year on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that the Socceroo tore an anterior cruciate ligament shortly after coming off the bench during the second half of last Saturday's A-League draw with Melbourne Victory at HBF Park.
He will miss between nine to 12 months a blow for the Glory's A-League and Asian Champions League campaigns.
Ikonomidis was a key part of Graham Arnold's squad at last year's Asian Cup squad and would have been hopeful of playing a part in Australia's World Cup qualifiers later in 2020.
He would also have been a potential option for the Socceroos historic guest appearance at the Copa America and as an overage player for the Olyroos at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
"Obviously we're all hugely disappointed for Chris," Glory football director Jacob Burns said.
"It's always difficult when a player suffers a serious injury, but we have an excellent medical team here at the club who will go above and beyond to provide him with all the assistance and support that he needs to make a full recovery."
