The Wellington Phoenix have suffered a massive blow with striker Jaushua Sotirio ruled out five to six weeks.
Sotirio scored the match winner against the Central Coast Mariners in the Phoenix's last game but won't be able to continue his good form after he picked up a knee injury at training this week.
The Wollongong based Phoenix do have some positive news, as they welcome back attacking midfielder Reno Piscopo who has yet to feature in the campaign after suffering a calf injury in the pre-season.
Piscopo will be in the matchday squad when the Wellington take on defending champions Sydney on Monday at their home ground, Jubilee Stadium and coach Ufuk Talay is excited to have him back.
"Reno is a creative player for us and Clayton Lewis has done a fantastic job for us playing as a 10 but Reno offers us the option to run at players and create opportunities so for us it's a bost to have Reno (Piscopo) back in the squad and we'll see how we use him," Talay says.
Sydney may have lost their star striker from last season Adam le Fondre but Sydney still have a mountain of attacking options at their disposal.
The two-time defending champions have speedsters Trent Buhagiar and All White Kosta Barbarouses as well as star import Bobo who is working his way back to match fitness after signing in January.
"They're still a threat up top with Buhagiar and Barbarouses and they few young players as well," he says. "You have to understand, they're the champions of last two season and still have a very good squad and very difficult to play against.
"We will make sure we set up well and prepare well and hopefully we can get the three points.
The Phoenix have gone six matches without a win over Sydney, losing five and drawing one, and have won just one of their last 13 meetings, dating back to 2016.
