Newcastle Jets striker Michael Bridges will miss up to three weeks after tearing his hamstring.
The 31-year old English import had tests to confirm that he sustained a minor tear in his left hamstring which will keep him out of the Jets line-up for at least two weeks and perhaps three.
Bridges has been in good form of late and will be a major loss to the Jets side but Branko Culina has options to cover him including veteran goalscorer Sasho Petrovski who has not been in the starting line-up in recent weeks.
In off-field matters, Jets CEO John Tsatsimas hopes other key players such as Fabio Vignaroli and Ljubo Milicevic take the lead set by Bridges and commit their future to the club.
"Michael and Newcastle just seem to be the perfect fit," Tsatsimas told au.fourfourtwo.com today.
"His impact has been more profound than simply performances on the pitch. He is a gentleman with no airs and graces and his decision to commit is a ringing endorsement for Newcastle Jets.
"Some imports take time to adapt, to adjust to the football, to the lifestyle and the like. For Michael, the transition has been seamless."