On the move? ... Sydney FC move in on Jets defender Tiago Calvano. Source: AAP
Sydney FC are sweating on getting clearance from A-League chiefs to sign Brazilian defender Tiago from the Jets after failing in a bid to lure Roar centreback Matthew Jurman back to the club where he turned professional.
Having lost Pascal Bosschaart for another six months thanks to further achilles problems, Sydney on Tuesday night agreed a deal with Tiago after Newcastle agreed to release him immediately.
But A-League boss Damien DeBohun has sought extra detail of the move before agreeing to it - asking to see the full paperwork at a meeting on Wednesday.
Similar attempts by the Sky Blues to land Jurman failed after Brisbane said they wanted to keep the 23 year-old, who came through the Sydney youth ranks but signed for the Roar as Vitezslav Lavicka stalled on offering him a new deal two years ago.
Sydney have to seek special dispensation to sign Tiago as an injury replacement player, as Bosschaart was among their five registered visa players.
If it's granted the 31-year-old is almost certain to go straight into Frank Farina's starting XI to face Wellington Phoenix on Saturday night, given FC's chronic problems in central defence.
Adam Griffiths and Nathan Sherlock are also injured and utility Rhyan Grant was forced to fill in last Sunday against the Heart in the wake of 16 year-old Aaron Calver's debut.
Bosschaart's injuries continue a horrible year for the veteran Dutchman, who had only returned in November from a torn achilles.
Though the new injuries - a bone spur on his ankle and a small tear in the achilles - are said to be unrelated, Bosschaart revealed last night that he faces six months on the sidelines.
"It's definitely a blow for us but we will push on with the players who have been getting the job done in recent weeks," FC coach Frank Farina said.
"Pascal is an experienced player and we will miss that experience as we move towards the business end of the season.
"It is a shame he picked up the injury as he was looking good after such a long lay off from the injury he suffered last year."
Though the new injury raises obvious questions over Bosschaart's future, Sydney have made clear they will support the 32-year-old - who has another year on his contract - in his rehabilitation, with the player himself insisting he would be back next season.
"Gonna hold me on the sidelines for at least 6 months again. So a sad day for me. I will getting back harder and stronger," Bosschaart said on Twitter, revealing also that he will go under the knife on February 4.
Jurman meanwhile looks set to stay at Brisbane for the rest of the season at least, though he has been linked with a move to Korea following in the footsteps of Luke DeVere.
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