Ono 'out for season'

Big blow ... Shinji Ono's absence would be cruel for the Wanderers. Source:News Limited

Western Sydney's championship hopes could be derailed with news that marquee signing Shinji Ono faces the sidelines for the rest of the season.

• 1. WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (54 points, Goal Diff +17)
  v Newcastle (A)
  Need a win or a draw in Newcastle to secure the premier's plate in their debut season.
   
• 2. CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (51, +25)
  v Melbourne Heart (H)
  If the Wanderers lose, the Mariners can pinch the premier's plate on goal difference with a win against the Heart.
   
• 3. MELBOURNE VICTORY (41, +2)
  v Wellington Phoenix (A)
  Will finish third or fourth and have nothing to really play for in New Zealand ahead of their home elimination final.
   
• 4. ADELAIDE UNITED (40, +1)
  v Perth Glory (A)
  To finish third or fourth and host a home knockout final, regardless of the result of their Perth trip.
   
• 5. BRISBANE ROAR (32, +2)
  v Sydney FC (H)
  Hold their own destiny. Beat Sydney, and their title defence continues into the finals; lose, and they need both Perth and Newcastle to lose. If they draw and only one of Newcastle or Perth win, they could still sneak in.
  
• 6. SYDNEY FC (32, -8)
  v Brisbane Roar (A)
  Like Brisbane, masters of their own fate: beat the Roar and they make the finals. Lose or draw, and they rely on others, like the Roar, above.
   
• 7. PERTH GLORY (31, -2)
  v Adelaide United (H)
  Beat Adelaide at home and they're in the finals. Draw, and they're probably in - if Sydney are beaten. Lose, and they're out.
   
• 8. NEWCASTLE JETS (31, -12)
  v Western Sydney (H)
  Must defeat Western Sydney and hope Sydney and Brisbane draw, and Perth lose, to steal a finals spot. If they draw, but Perth win and Sydney get thumped by four or more goals, they can also sneak in! 

Ono injured his groin and had to be replaced 55 minutes into the 1-1 draw with Sydney FC in the derby at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.

The Japanese star, who announced on Friday he was staying with the club for another season, hobbled off in severe pain and the early diagnosis does not look good.

While he will have MRI scans, it is believed the injury will sideline him for at least a month, which means that he will most likely miss the grand final on April 21 should the Wanderers get there.

Ono's absence would be a huge blow to Western Sydney, though they have a handy back-up in rising Socceroo star Aaron Mooy.

The veteran midfielder had only just come back after missing the previous match because of a hamstring strain.

News of his injury completes a horrendous 24 hours for the A-League's new boys.

Captain Michael Beauchamp (hamstring) was forced to withdraw before the game against Sydney while reserve goalkeeper Jerrad Tyson has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a back problem.

On top of that, defender Iacopo La Rocca could be suspended for as long as three weeks after being sent off on Saturday night after elbowing Terry Antonis in the head. Antonis was left sprawled on the turf with blood gushing from a cut on his forehead.

The Wanderers' depth will be put to the test in the next few weeks without Ono and Jerome Polenz, who was also absent on Saturday night through injury.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Western Sydney	26	17	3	6	17	54
2	Central Coast	26	15	6	5	25	51
3	Victory	26	12	5	9	2	41
4	Adelaide	26	12	4	10	1	40
5	Brisbane	26	9	5	12	2	32
6	Sydney	26	9	5	12	-8	32
7	Perth	26	9	4	13	-2	31
8	Newcastle	26	8	7	11	-12	31
9	Heart	26	8	3	15	-8	27
10	Wellington	26	7	6	13	-17	27

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