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Victory's Antonis could train this week

3 minute read

Terry Antonis has avoided a major injury from his tumble at the SCG and could resume training this week for A-League club Melbourne Victory.

TERRY ANTONIS of the Victory kicks the ball clear from RYOTA OSHIMA of Kawasaki Frontale during the AFC Asian Champions League match between the Melbourne Victory and Kawasaki Frontale at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia.
TERRY ANTONIS of the Victory kicks the ball clear from RYOTA OSHIMA of Kawasaki Frontale during the AFC Asian Champions League match between the Melbourne Victory and Kawasaki Frontale at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Image

Melbourne Victory boss Kevin Muscat has been buoyed by the injury report on Terry Antonis, who could resume training before his coach is even back in the country.

Antonis suffered what initially appeared to be a serious knee injury in Saturday night's Big Blue against Sydney FC at the SCG.

However, scans subsequently cleared the 25-year-old of a much-feared anterior cruciate ligament tear.

"Very good news in relation to the extent of the injury," Victory coach Kevin Muscat said. "He's been cleared of anything serious or long term.

"Structurally he's fine and sound. Its a matter of now starting his rehab.

"Now that he's settled down and the swelling has almost gone we're optimistic and hopeful he'll start training in the next day or two."

Muscat was speaking from China, where his side will start rank outsiders against heavyweights Guangzhou Evergrande in their Asian Champions League (ACL) clash on Wednesday night.

They will return to training on Friday ahead of Sunday's match with Central Coast at AAMI Park, though Antonis is unlikely to be involved.

Guangzhou Evergrande host their matches at the 55,000-capacity Tianhe Stadium, with Muscat finding the ground to his liking.

"Considering the last pitch we played on, anything would have been an upgrade," he said.

Victory were supported by Professional Footballers Australia in calling for an investigation into the "deplorable" SCG pitch.

A-League chiefs were swift to move the remaining match of season away from the Test cricket venue to avoid a similar debacle.

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