Jack Rodwell is in doubt for Sydney FC's opening A-League Men's game with Melbourne Victory on Saturday after picking up a groin issue in training.
The former England international, who is a new signing at the Sky Blues this season, has been sent for scans to determine whether he will be required to spend time on the sideline.
The 31-year-old midfielder arrived at Sydney over the off-season after an encouraging first campaign in Australia with cross-town rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.
Sydney are aiming to bounce back from last season's disappointing finish where they missed the finals for the first time in six years.
The good news for Sydney is the inclusion of another Englishman Joe Lolley, who will be part of a new-look Sky Blues side returning to Allianz Stadium on Saturday where they will face a Victory team boasting Portuguese import Nani.
Lolley, a former Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town winger, has big shoes to fill with the Sky Blues this year.
After Sydney's messy off-season split with Milos Ninkovic, the 30-year-old will be tasked with carrying the mantle of the Sky Blues No.10 shirt also previously worn by head coach Steve Corica and Alessandro Del Piero.
"I know how successful the previous No.10s have been at this club," Lolley told AAP.
"I want to join that list of players who have done brilliantly, I don't want to be a player who has just come here to enjoy Sydney.
"It's on my locker, who has worn it before, and a lot of them have done very well.
"There's a bit of added pressure with that but that's all good for me."
Lolley has played in the English Premier League and Championship for most of his career and faced the same players on a week-to-week basis.
He knows it will take time for him to work out his ALM opponents and is aware he will come in for special attention as a foreign import.
"It's nice to have that pressure," he said.
"The club have shown a lot of belief in me and I want to repay that."
