Western United star Chloe Logarzo will be racing the clock to feature in the A-League Women finals and in the Matildas' April clash with Mexico as she battles a hip injury.
The ALW leaders have suffered a gut-wrenching double injury blow, with midfielder Adriana Taranto's season over after she ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee at training this week.
Logarzo missed last week's loss to Sydney FC with the hip complaint and appears in serious doubt to even feature in finals, given her injury history.
"Logarzo's availability for the finals series, should Western United proceed, will be subject to her ongoing fitness and recovery," United said in a statement.
"Everyone at Western United wishes Logarzo the best in her recovery and looks forward to seeing her back on the pitch as soon as possible."
United co-captain Logarzo has had a wretched run with injury, with a slow comeback from an ACL tear in September 2021 followed by plantar fasciitis that ruined another year.
Her injuries ultimately stopped her building enough form to make the Matildas' squad for the 2023 Women's World Cup, or from playing in United's debut finals series, including a grand final defeat to the Sky Blues.
But the 29-year-old had bounced back this season to record nine goals and three assists.
Logarzo's form as a second striker alongside Hannah Keane had also helped Western United to the top of the table.
Her form earned a recall to the Matildas squad last month but she didn't play a minute of the two games against Uzbekistan, and now appears unlikely to feature in the April 10 clash with Mexico in San Antonio.
Energetic midfielder Taranto is also a significant loss, having featured in every United match to date since the club's inception last season.
The 24-year-old had scored five goals and notched four assists this season.
The injury news takes the shine off United's first game at their new Tarneit base, against Newcastle on Sunday.
United (35 points) are top of the table with three regular-season games in hand, ahead of Melbourne City (34), Sydney (33), Melbourne Victory (32) and Central Coast (31).
Sydney have a game in hand on their premiership rivals.
The game of the round is undoubtedly City's derby against the Victory at the Home of the Matildas in Bundoora on Sunday.
Both teams still have designs on silverware, with the Victory's Matildas striker Emily Gielnik in red-hot form.
On Saturday, battling Adelaide United host Brisbane while Perth travel to face Western Sydney.
On Sunday, Wellington will attempt to stop a rampaging Sydney FC while Central Coast will go in as heavy favourites against Canberra United.
