April 13, 2015 11:56:41 UK
Brisbane Roar midfielder Luke Brattan might need more abdominal surgery, but he’s determined to soldier on until the end of the season.
Brattan was hurt in blocking a goal-bound shot in the Roar’s 3-2 win against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.
He believes he has suffered another tear in his abdominal muscle, similar to the one that needed surgery at the end of last season.
With the club still battling for a qualification spot in the Asian Champions League and certain of a place in the A-League finals, though, the 25-year-old is determined not to be forced onto the sidelines.
“It felt like I redid it but I’ll get scans and if necessary, I’ll get an injection,” said the Australia U-20 international.
“I said straight away that I wasn’t coming off after I did it. I’ll definitely be playing the rest of the season.”
The Roar will play in the finals for the fifth straight season, and Brattan is hoping to win his third championship with the club.
Brisbane cannot finish any higher than fifth in the league, so the pressure is off them in their final three matches. They face Melbourne Victory twice this week and finish off against Newcastle Jets – all the games are at Suncorp Stadium.
Frans Thijssen’s side are short on numbers at the back, due to injuries to Jerome Polenz, James Donachie, Shane Stefanutto and Jade North.
They will be without another defender, Daniel Bowles, for the first meeting with Victory on Wednesday after he was sent off for a last-man foul on Adelaide defender Nigel Boogaard at the weekend.
The Roar hope Brandon Borrello, who was forced out of the win over the Reds with a knee injury, will be available for the Victory clash, where Brisbane are 19/10.
Brisbane Roar are 50/1 to win the Asian Champions League.
Don’t forget all of the fantastic markets we have to offer, including In-Play betting, can be accessed on your mobile phone with the new and improved bet365 On The Move.
View all Soccer betting
