https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360549877/auckland-fc-rocked-defensive-injuries-ahead-crucial-league-men-stretch
Their second defeat came away to 12th-placed Perth Glory last Saturday, in a match where captain Hiroki Sakai was forced off after being knocked out by a ball to the face, and where teenager defender Adama Coulibaly was sent off less than 10 minutes after coming off the bench to make his debut.
Their second defeat came away to 12th-placed Perth Glory last Saturday, in a match where captain Hiroki Sakai was forced off after being knocked out by a ball to the face, and where teenager defender Adama Coulibaly was sent off less than 10 minutes after coming off the bench to make his debut.
First-choice centre back Dan Hall has been out injured with a broken ankle since the start of Auckland's slide in results, while versatile fullback Scott Galloway has also joined the injured list, with a calf problem that Corica said would keep him out for three to four weeks.
Uncapped teenager Codey Phoenix – a New Zealand age-group international – is set to provide cover off the bench, with Corica acknowledging this as not where his team wanted to be ahead of such a crucial stretch of matches – the third coming away to eighth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers next Sunday.
Auckland are set to have midfielder Cam Howieson back from injury this weekend, while new signing Marlee François is expected to play some part in their two matches in Australia next week.
Uncapped teenager Codey Phoenix – a New Zealand age-group international – is set to provide cover off the bench, with Corica acknowledging this as not where his team wanted to be ahead of such a crucial stretch of matches – the third coming away to eighth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers next Sunday.
Auckland are set to have midfielder Cam Howieson back from injury this weekend, while new signing Marlee François is expected to play some part in their two matches in Australia next week.