Sydney stars still sidelined

Sydney FC coach Ufuk Talay has resisted the temptation to recall Englishman Joe Lolley for Thursday night’s AFC Champions League Two clash with Sanfrecce Hiroshima, with the exciting winger more likely to return from a groin injury on Sunday against Macarthur FC.

While Brazilian star Douglas Costa (hamstring) remains shelved at least for another week, Lolley was seemingly close to getting the selection nod for Sydney’s battle with Hiroshima at Jubilee Stadium.

However, Talay is set to err on the side of caution.

“Joe was probably closer to being involved (on Thursday) at some capacity, but we’ve also got one eye on the game (three) days later, our first home game of the (A-League) season against Macarthur, so we won’t risk Joe (against Hiroshima),” the Sky Blues boss said.

“Douglas is not there yet.”

Costa suffered his injury two weeks ago in Japan when Hiroshima beat Sydney 2-1 in the first of the two Group E games between the teams.

The top two teams from the group will progress to the knockout stage of the tournament.

Sydney sits in second spot, three points adrift of a Hiroshima team that is also in contention to win the J1 League that has only three rounds remaining.

“I’m sure they still want to win the game regardless,” Talay said when asked about the possibility of Hiroshima fielding a weaker team on Thursday to save players for the closing stages of the club’s domestic campaign.

“I’m sure if they do change players around, they still have the depth to produce a certain game style.”

Talay, who was pleased with his side’s performance in Japan despite the loss, said “revenge” wasn’t on the Sky Blues’ minds.

“The thought process is to get the three points so we can be comfortable in the group,” he said.

Talay hinted that emerging talent Adrian Segecic will start on Thursday, but said that super-sub Jaiden Kucharski, who scored a late winner against Brisbane Roar last Friday night, would again be on the bench.

“He provides that excitement and that freshness when he comes on to the park to produce those moments in the games,” Talay said.