Melbourne Victory will learn the length of Terry Antonis' absence on Monday afternoon after the A-League midfielder's shocking injury on the SCG.
Antonis' knee buckled on turf labelled "disgraceful" by coach Kevin Muscat during Victory's loss to Sydney FC on Saturday night.
Victory, who have set up camp in China ahead of Wednesday night's Asian Champions League clash with heavyweights Guangzhou Evergrande, are prepared for a wide range of outcomes.
On-the-scenes medicos believe the 25-year-old hasn't suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, the worst-case scenario which would see Antonis miss up to a year of football.
They are hoping for bruising that would see him back in time for the finals, which start in four weeks time.
Antonis suffered a knee knock in training last month.
Irrespective of Antonis' diagnosis, the 25-year-old's absence from their mid-week clash leaves Victory short in Asia.
Victory are already underdogs for a match they need to win if they are to continue their continental campaign past the group phase.
Antonis' injury means they will field a five-man bench against Evergrande, with just 14 outfield players travelling to China.
Fellow midfielder Raul Baena is still suffering with a hamstring issue, with fringe players Jai Ingham, Rahmat Akbari and Birkan Kirdar also staying home.
Fit defender Georg Niedermeier would be a handy inclusion but has stayed in Australia as competition rules restrict each team to just three foreigners and one Asian player.
Muscat has taken three goalkeepers - Lawrence Thomas, Matt Acton and Matt Sutton - a sign he believes first-choice gloveman Thomas will be fit to play at Tianhe Stadium, but wants an insurance policy.
Antonis' injury was just one of two major blows suffered by Victory on Saturday night; their injury-time loss to Sydney FC was the other.
The result means Muscat's side are almost guaranteed to finish third, and miss out on a week off in the first week of the finals.
Should Sydney FC beat Western Sydney on Saturday night they will lose the chance to finish in the top two, irrespective of their own result against Central Coast on Sunday night.
Australian Associated Press
