Mitchell Duke has been ruled out of Western Sydney Wanderers’ FFA Cup opener after suffering a knee injury in pre-season.
The Wanderers striker, who led out his boyhood team as captain during the return to Wanderland against Leeds United at Bankwest Stadium, has been sidelined for six to eight weeks, the club has confirmed.
Duke revealed on social media his relief that scans had not confirmed the injury as a cruciate ligament tear.
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Duke was substituted after 40 minutes of Markus Babbel’s side’s 5-0 win against Gold Coast Knights in Queensland on Thursday after injuring his left knee.
That leaves the five-cap Caltex Socceroo unavailable for Western Sydney’s FFA Cup Round of 32 tie against Perth Glory at Dorrien Gardens on August 7, and the Round of 16, later in August, if they progress.
The 28-year-old could be in contention for a potential FFA Cup Quarter Final on September 17-18 should Western Sydney make it to the last eight.
