Phoenix captain Annalie Longo. Photo: Marty Melville/Photosport
Fears Phoenix women's captain Annalie Longo could have been facing a prolonged time on the sidelines have eased, after she copped a nasty blow to the head in the weekend's loss to Newcastle.
While she's unlikely to play in Friday night's game against Adelaide United as she still has severe bruising around her left eye, scans have confirmed she doesn't have a fractured eye socket.
The news isn't so good for central defender Rebecca Lake as she will miss the remainder of the season after rupturing ligaments in her left foot in the second round loss to Canberra earlier this month.
It was only Lake's second A-League game back after a high ankle sprain abruptly ended her maiden season in March.
She is expected to be sidelined for at least six months after she has surgery.
"I'm obviously pretty gutted," Lake said. "I was ready to build on last season and I felt like I had a bit of unfinished business.
"But I've had some time to process it and I just want to get into surgery and start the rehab."
The season is over for Phoenix defender Rebecca Lake. Photo: Marty Melville/Photosport
Lake will meet with her surgeon today and plans to remain with the Phoenix for her rehabilitation.
"I feel like I recover a lot faster when I'm around physios all the time and... I want to show that I can smash this rehab the second time around and come back to the Nix, if I get the opportunity."
Phoenix head coach Paul Temple said Lake would be missed.
"She is a major part of the team, not only as a key figure at the back but as our vice-captain. It's cruel this has happened so early in our campaign and after she had worked so hard during the year to come back from the ankle injury which brought an early end to her first pro season.
-RNZ
