Adelaide United goalkeeper Daniel Beltrame has been ruled out of the Reds' important AFC Champions League clash against Changchun Yatai on Wednesday night.
Beltrame, who has been kept out of United's side throughout the ACL campaign due to the outstanding form of Eugene Galekovic, has undergone minor knee surgery and will be out of action for approximately 6-8 weeks.
The 32-year-old said he was bitterly disappointed not to be making the trip to China for United's crucial clash.
"It's disappointing not being able to go to China because it is such a massive game for the club and it's Richie's (Alagich's) last game," Beltrame said.
"It would have been good to be over there and help the boys get the points that we need to reach the second round, but unfortunately I'll be at home watching it on television."
The next stage of the ACL does not commence until later this year and Beltrame is hoping he will be able to recover in time for a strong pre-season ahead of the next Hyundai A-League season.
"The good thing is that there is only one AFC Champions League game to go and then we're off for a while so I will be able to recover and get back into full tilt for pre-season," Beltrame said.
"Hopefully everything will settle down now and I can have a good 2008-09 season."
Robert Bajic will travel to China as the back-up for Galekovic, with United needing a draw or better to progress to the next phase.
Beltrame, who has been kept out of United's side throughout the ACL campaign due to the outstanding form of Eugene Galekovic, has undergone minor knee surgery and will be out of action for approximately 6-8 weeks.
The 32-year-old said he was bitterly disappointed not to be making the trip to China for United's crucial clash.
"It's disappointing not being able to go to China because it is such a massive game for the club and it's Richie's (Alagich's) last game," Beltrame said.
"It would have been good to be over there and help the boys get the points that we need to reach the second round, but unfortunately I'll be at home watching it on television."
The next stage of the ACL does not commence until later this year and Beltrame is hoping he will be able to recover in time for a strong pre-season ahead of the next Hyundai A-League season.
"The good thing is that there is only one AFC Champions League game to go and then we're off for a while so I will be able to recover and get back into full tilt for pre-season," Beltrame said.
"Hopefully everything will settle down now and I can have a good 2008-09 season."
Robert Bajic will travel to China as the back-up for Galekovic, with United needing a draw or better to progress to the next phase.
