Goalkeeper Mark Birighitti has a fractured cheekbone and concussion after collecting a knee in the 65th minute in Sunday’s loss.
Newcastle Jets goalkeeper Mark Birighitti was stretchered off the field in the 65th minute after he collected a knee to the face when he courageously smothered a shot from Wellington Phoenix’s Jeremy Brockie.
Birighitti was taken from the ground to the hospital for scans for a fractured cheekbone, with the goalkeeper also suffering from concussion.
“It doesn’t look so good for Mark, he is off to the hospital and he will be out for at least six to eight weeks with a fractured cheekbone,” coach Gary van Egmond said after the game.
“Mark made a great save and it was just an unfortunate collision afterwards, which can happen in our game.
“It is really unfortunate for both our keepers; first Ben (Kennedy) with his knee, and now Mark with this.”
Kennedy is still at least four weeks away from returning from knee surgery but van Egmond said they won’t rush a replacement keeper into the team.
“It was good we knew of (Matt) Nashy and we could get him here but we won’t bring anyone else in just for the sake of it,” van Egmond added.
“We have a good young keeper in Jack Duncan, he has just been away with the Young Socceroos, so we have him and Nashy that will train this week knowing they are playing.”
Birighitti’s injury added to a disappointing day at Hunter Stadium, with the Jets going down 3-0 to Wellington Phoenix on Sunday afternoon. To read the match report, CLICK HERE.
