Auckland FC face a goalkeeping crisis after confirmation Oli Sail will miss the remainder of the A-League season following knee surgery.
Sail underwent surgery on Wednesday after rupturing a tendon in his left knee while attempting a goal kick during Auckland FC’s 2-1 defeat to the Perth Glory.
The injuryis expected to sideline the 30-year-old for at least seven months, and has ended his hopes for the All Whites’ Fifa World Cup campaign, which begins in June.
Third-choice goalkeeper Joseph Knowles is sidelined indefinitely following hip surgery, while Oscar Mason, Blake Callihan and Eli Jones are away with the club’s OFC Pro League squad, although the latter is currently battling glandular fever.
Auckland also lost Scott Morris before the season, with the New Zealand age-group international forced to retire on medical grounds.
Teenager Liam Hill, who has made one appearance for the reserves, is expected to be named on the bench for Saturday’s clash with Sydney FC, but Corica would ideally like to bring in a goalkeeper with first-team experience to ease the burden.
“We need to bring a goalkeeper in, whether it’s from the reserve team or elsewhere,” Corica said.
“The window’s open so we can bring players in and it’s something we’ll look at doing.
“It helps if they know the league and if they’ve played in it, but we can look overseas as well – cast the net wide. There are a lot of goalkeepers around, but a lot of them are unavailable at the moment.”
Auckland have until February 10 to sign or loan a player from another club, although free agents can still be added after the transfer window closes.
Sail’s return to the field would likely have placed him firmly in the mix to be the third-choice keeper for the All Whites at the World Cup, alongside Max Crocombe and Alex Paulsen.
Auckland FC coach Steve Corica. Photo / Photosport
“I’m obviously gutted for him,” Corica said. “He’s in good spirits.
“When you have these injuries – I’ve had them before and been out for long periods – it’s about having the right mental strength to get through it and doing everything you can to get back to full fitness.”
