Perth Glory star Chris Ikonomidis will be forced to miss up to nine to 12 months of football after suffering a devastating knee injury in last weekend’s match against Melbourne Victory.
Scans earlier this week confirmed his worst fears revealing a tear to the left anterior cruciate ligament.
The 24-year-old winger had only been on the pitch for 15 minutes after coming on as a second half sub in last Saturday’s game against Victory, when his strapped left knee buckled after he made what seemed an innocuous pass. Ikonimidis was returning to action after missing Glory’s two previous matches through an injury to the same knee sustained after a heavy Michael Jakobsen tackle in the match against Adelaide United.
The injury is a devastating blow for last year’s A-League Young Player of the Year winner. Ikonomidis was one of the current A-League players in line for Socceroos selection for their World Cup qualifiers this year. He was also a possible selection for the Olyroos’ Olympic games campaign as one of three over-age selections that coach Graham Arnold can include in the team.
The injury is also a blow to Perth Glory as the club strives for A-League and AFC Champions League silverware.
“Obviously we’re all hugely disappointed for Chris,” said Glory Football Director Jacob Burns.
“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.”
“The club will provide regular updates on Chris’ progress via all its media platforms,” said Glory CEO Tony Pignata.
“We look forward to seeing Chris back in action and back to his best sooner rather than later.”