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Sydney FC have been hit with an injury crisis ahead of the opening game of the A-League against Newcastle on Friday night.
Midfield star Brett Emerton is set to join a list of six other leading Sky Blues players unavailable for the clash at Sydney Football Stadium after back spasms kept him out of the side's final training session on Thursday.
Farina said he would give the former Socceroo until game day to prove his fitness.
"But I'm not expecting him to be quite ready."
Already ruled out for this match and beyond were new striker Corey Gameiro (knee), Terry Antonis (thigh), Peter Triantis (osteitis pubis), vice-captain Terry McFlynn (groin) and Pascal Bosschaart (achilles), while a thigh strain has sidelined defender Tiago Calvano for the Newcastle match.
"It's not as if we've had a spate of injuries where we've had control over them. We've had maybe two or three that we've had injured in the last week," Farina said.
Former Red Star Belgrade defender Nikola Petkovic is a confirmed starter, but who else will plug Sydney's defensive hole remains a mystery.
Marc Warren is a chance of a spot in the back four alongside fellow recruit Pedj Bojic, who has overcome a few knocks suffered during pre-season.
Returning attacking star Nick Carle has also declared himself fit, as have Richard Garcia and captain Alessandro Del Piero.
"We certainly have the quality, the experience and the big-game players," Farina said.
"That doesn't always guarantee you three points but I'm confident, with the squad we've got, that we can do ok."
Newcastle have their own injury woes, with marquee striker Emile Heskey ruled out for the opening three rounds with a knee injury suffered during a trial against Melbourne Victory.
The England international scored nine goals in his debut season and is a huge loss for the Jets.
"I'm a little bit gutted not to be starting but I'm still excited for the lads to be getting out there," said Heskey, likely to be replaced by Socceroos hopeful Adam Taggart.
"It's been a long pre-season that we've done reasonably well in and we're all focused on the game on Friday."
Heskey said he was impressed by Sydney FC's new-look squad, despite beating them 1-0 in a pre-season match last month.
"They're more of a free-flowing team now, which is nice to see - especially in the A-League," he said.
Sydney FC failed to post a win over the Jets last season, losing twice and drawing once.
The two sides met this time last year at the same venue in round two, when Del Piero scored his first goal for Sydney FC.
Heskey netted the match-winner for a 3-2 victory to the Jets.
"There was 35,000 people there and it was outstanding," the 35-year-old said.
"Hopefully we can do the same, if not better."
AAP
Topics: soccer, a-league, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia
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