Thursday, 20 February 2003 12:00 AM
South Melbourne’s silky midfielder Zeljko Susa badly injured his knee in last Sunday’s Melbourne derby and will miss the remainder of the season. Susa damaged his medial ligament, cartilage and has partial tear to his anterior cruciate ligament. Susa injured the same knee he had surgery to and will see the surgeon tomorrow.
This is the third time a South Melbourne player has been sidelined this season due to knee injuries. Susa joins captain Paul Trimboli and defender Robert Liparoti who both suffered major knee injuries this season.
Young Nick Tolios who began the past two matches had internal bleeding to his knee after Sunday’s match. The sturdy defender is currently recovering and should be fully fit for Friday’s match against Marconi.
Fellow defender Steve Iosifidis, who missed last Sunday’s derby because of a Grade 1 tear to his groin, is back on the training track but a spot in South Melbourne’s travelling squad looks unlikely as time to fully recover is against the 29 year old.
On a positive note, new signing Con Boutsianis who has out of the game for the past six months, has been training well after being and looks in surprisingly good condition. Boutsianis will be up for selection this Friday night.
South Melbourne has three matches remaining and face bottom placed Marconi Stallions in a match the Albert Park Club is expected to win. South Melbourne has only won one match away from home this season but a win will see the club step closer to confirming a spot in the top six.
In other Round 23 matches that will have a large bearing on the make up of the top six, Parramatta travel to third placed Newcastle while Adelaide City host inform Northern Spirit. Perth Glory host Olympic Sharks in the top of the table clash and a match that could decide the top two positions.