Smeltz out for a month
Perth Glory marquee striker Shane Smeltz will spend up to four more weeks on the sidelines after scans revealed a torn ligament in his right ankle.
Smeltz suffered the injury during a challenge from Matt Smith in last week’s 1-0 defeat away to Brisbane Roar.
He joins a growing injury list ahead of Friday’s game against Wellington Phoenix at nib Stadium.
Marquee defender William Gallas (calf) and fellow first-choice players Scott Jamieson (Achilles), Josh Risdon (knee) and Travis Dodd (knee) are all sidelined.
Captain Jacob Burns will miss another match through suspension and experienced defender Steve Pantelidis has left to join Malaysian club Selangor.
Smeltz has made just four appearances for Glory this season.
He missed the first three games as he recovered from hip surgery and another while on international duty during New Zealand’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Smeltz’s absence will hurt Glory’s chances of rectifying their poor form in front of goal.
The A-League’s all-time leading goal scorer is yet to find the back of the net this season, but remains one of the club’s most potent attacking weapons.
Glory have scored just six goals in eight games and have a worse scoring record than every other team this season bar last-placed Melbourne Heart.
