Newcastle Jets midfielder Shaun Ontong will miss the remainder of the A-League season. The 22-year old has suffered another serious injury, this time a torn Achilles which will keep him sidelined for up to 12 months.
"Understandably the kid's shattered," Jets coach Branko Culina said.
"It's a crying shame. He's had a terrible run with injuries.
"Every time he comes back something else happens. He'll be out for 12 months. He's been written off a few times but we liked what we saw and that's why we gave him a chance at Newcastle."
Culina also revealed that marquee player Fabio Vignaroli will miss two weeks with a hamstring injury, meaning he will miss this Thursday's clash with Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium.
"Fab will be out for a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury," Culina added.
"We're a little thin but we'll just have to get by with the players we have."