Brisbane Roar defender Dimitri Valkanis sidelined with hamstring injury

Brisbane Roar defender Dimitri Valkanis is set to miss a significant portion of the upcoming A-League Men season due to a hamstring injury. The 20-year-old, who recently signed a three-year permanent deal with the club, reportedly sustained the initial injury during an Australia Cup match against Sydney FC in August and subsequently re-aggravated the issue during training.

The club stated that Valkanis has commenced a rehabilitation programme and is expected to be sidelined for an “extended period,” with a potential return targeted for December. However, some reports suggest the severity of the injury could delay his return until the new year.

Valkanis was considered a vital component of the squad following a successful previous season where he made 23 appearances and scored three goals. His absence comes just ahead of the Roar’s season opener against Perth Glory on October 23.