Jets injury blow: Hoffman to miss remainder of Hyundai A-League season

Jason Hoffman will miss the remainder of the Hyundai A-League season with an ankle injury. 

The Newcastle Jets man twisted his ankle on Sunday in preparation for the club's crucial AFC Champions League match up with Persija Jakarta.

Newcastle had originally hoped for a minor sprain but following consultation with a Sydney specialist, it is understood that Hoffman has dislocated a tendon in his ankle and will require surgery.

According to the Jets, Hoffman - who made his 200th Hyundai A-League appearance in the club's 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix last Thursday - will be sidelined for approximately five months.

It is a devastating blow for Ernie Merrick's side, who face an uphill battle to make the top-six, complicated by an AFC Champions League play-off tie with Kashima Antlers on Tuesday.

“Jason has been great since I arrived at the club, a capable and dependable player who has performed extremely well in the last two seasons," Newcastle boss Ernie Merrick told the club's official website.

“This is a huge blow for us, but I’m really just disappointed for him to be missing so much football.

“It was a fairly innocuous sort of incident and we were hopeful it would only be something minor, unfortunately it was confirmed that Jason will be out for an extended period.

“I’ve spoken with Jason and he’s obviously disappointed with the news but he’s determined to return as quickly as possible.

“He’s an outstanding pro who will do everything required to return to full fitness.”

The club are lining up former Central Coast Mariners winger Kwabena Appiah, who trained with the team on Thursday, as an injury replacement player according to NBN News.

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