KEY POINTS:
Vince Lia's injury woes have continued, with the Wellington Phoenix player's A-League season over before it began.
Lia wrenched his left leg in a tackle while playing at right back for the Phoenix in their 2008 Pre-Season Cup win against the Central Coast Mariners in Wellington on Sunday.
Hopes the injury might not be serious were dashed by a scan yesterday revealing Lia had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
He will have surgery and is likely to be out for up to nine months.
Phoenix head coach Ricki Herbert yesterday said the 23-year-old defender/midfielder was gutted by the season-ending injury blow.
"Vinnie had worked extremely hard during the pre-season and was probably in the best condition he's ever been. To miss the whole season is devastating for the young guy," Herbert said.
"It wasn't a nasty tackle or challenge; the injury was just one of those freak accidents."
Herbert had moved Lia from his usual midfield role into a right back role, a troublesome position for the Phoenix last year.
"I had very high hopes for Vinnie playing at right back for us this season and he was certainly very excited about the challenge."
Lia, who recently extended his contract with the Phoenix for another two years, has had bad luck with injury.
He missed a large part of the club's inaugural season in 2007 due to a serious thigh problem.
"The club is right behind Vinnie and he'll be receiving the best care," Herbert said.
The loss of Lia has been alleviated somewhat by the Phoenix's signing of experienced international defender David Mulligan.
However, his injury means the Wellington club is now able to pursue the recruitment of a long-term injury replacement player.
The Phoenix's next Pre-Season Cup match is away to the Queensland Roar on Sunday.
- NZPA
