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Sydney FC coach Steve Corica has confirmed that Luke Brattan's season is over after he picked up an ACL injury in the FFA Cup win over Sydney Olympic.
Sydney FC coach Steve Corica had to console a tearful Luke Brattan after it was confirmed the midfielder will miss the entirety of the club's A-League Men season.
Brattan, 31, played the first half of the Sky Blues' 4-2 FFA Cup win over Sydney Olympic before coming off with a suspected ACL.
He was sent for scans on Thursday with the verdict ruling him out of the rest of Sydney's campaign starting with Saturday's home fixture at Kogarah Oval against Macarthur FC.
"He's done his ACL and he needs surgery next week," Corica said.
"It's a big blow for him and the club and we're very disappointed for him.
"He was in tears the other day, he's a very emotional guy and he's going to be out for a year.
"He played 45 minutes this season and that's all he's going to play.
"He's got a great family around him and with the boys. A few of the other boys have done these injuries before and he'll get through it."
The blow will test Corica's depth, but the Sky Blues boss was confident Kosta Barbarouses and James Donachie will be available for next week's clash with the Newcastle Jets.
Bobo remains a fortnight away from returning to the fray, Connor O'Toole is another month from full fitness and Michael Zullo remains sidelined with calf issues.
"He hasn't played for (nearly) two seasons now, he's positive and wants to play and produce for the team," Corica said of Zullo.
"When he tries to come back he gets another little calf injury."
Ben Warland was rested for the Cup game and will be available for selection while Liam McGing, who made his club debut against Sydney Olympic, could face older brother Jake in Saturday's game with the Bulls.
"Liam will be involved in the squad, whether he starts I'm not sure yet," Corica added.
"He played really well the other night. I'm sure they will both be on the pitch at some stage.
"We threw him in for the Cup game. He did well defensively and with the ball to set Adam (Le Fondre) up for the first goal."
After five months without a competitive game, Corica's men face the third of three games in seven days on Saturday.
While they struggled to land the killer blow in their season-opening 0-0 draw against Western Sydney, Corica was hopeful of seeing a better end product.
"I'd like to see a bit more cutting edge to the final third," Corica said.
"I thought our build-ups were good, defensively we were good as well. We just lacked that final pass or that creativity to make more chances for us.
"It's normal for the first game of the season, nobody wants to lose. Scoring more goals is the final part of the puzzle."
