Sydney FC have suffered a major injury blow on the eve of their 2011 AFC Champions League campaign with rising star Dimitri Petratos ruled out for six weeks with ankle ligament damage.

The 18-year-old young gun suffered the injury when being challenged for the ball in the first half of Sydney FC's 1-1 draw against the Newcastle Jets at EnergyAustralia Stadium last Sunday and was forced to leave the pitch in the 44th minute.

It is an untimely blow for Sydney FC and Petratos, who burst onto the A-League scene this season, notching 16 games and after breaking into the Sky Blues starting XI netted his debut goal against Gold Coast United at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday 8 January 2011.

Coach Vitezslav Lavicka has used Petratos in an attacking role to great effect this season with his speed and creativeness now going to be sorely missed.

He will immediately commence at intensive rehabilitation program with club medical staff.

Striker Mark Bridge (groin) will also miss tonight's clash with the Wellington Phoenix at the Sydney Football Stadium.