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Mar 15, 2013   |  5:08PM AET

Traore’s season over

Traore’s season over

Classy Melbourne Victory defender Adama Traore will miss the rest of the season because of an ankle injury.

Classy Melbourne Victory defender Adama Traore will miss the rest of the season because of an ankle injury.

The left-back was stretchered off during Saturday night’s 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium, and the initial diagnosis was a high ligament tear with 3-4 weeks on the sidelines – meaning he could have been available for Victory’s finals campaign.

But coach Ange Postecoglou revealed on Friday the 23-year-old – who has been a standout this season – would not feature again in 2012/13.

“I reckon I can make it now – he’s gone,” Postecoglou said when asked when he could make the call on Traore’s season.

“He’ll probably have surgery, it’s quite a significant injury. If surgery goes ahead, depending on what the extent of the repair’s going to be, it could be three to four months out.

“It’s disappointing for him, he’s had a fantastic season for us. I think he’s been the outstanding left-back in the country and a real driving force in our team.

“All players put in the hard yards so that they can play in the big games come finals time, so for him to be missing is a cruel blow to him because he’s been a fantastic addition to our football club.”

Postecoglou, however, was bullish about his side’s title hopes even without the talented defender.

“There’s nothing in the rules that says you can’t win it without a Traore. So, I reckon we can still win it,” he said.

Postecoglou also revealed Argentine star Marcos Flores would miss the trip north to take on Sydney on Saturday night, with a back injury preventing him from training on Friday, following on from a quad strain last month.

Postecoglou said his side’s away form had been a concern this season, with Victory notching up four wins, a draw and six losses on the road, and he is keen to improve that at a packed Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

“From our perspective, we’ve hit some decent form over the last couple of weeks – we want to continue that on,” he said.

“At some point in the finals series we’re going to have to play an away game if we want to progress, and win away.

“It’ll be a big crowd, it’s always a great game against Sydney, the crowd turns up in numbers and I’m really looking forward to it.”