Sydney FC defender Ellie Brush has been ruled out of the A-League Women season after re-rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament.
Brush, 33, was on track to return early this season from the ACL tear to her right knee suffered in March but will instead join Sydney's coaching and backroom staff while she works towards a comeback for the 2022-23 campaign.
"Obviously I'm shattered because I'd put in eight months of hard work to get to that point and was feeling almost back to my best, so it has been hard to take," Brush said.
"I was doing rehabilitation eight months post operation and was going really well when it happened which is unfortunate.
"I'm still excited for this season and a different role with the club and watching what the girls can do.
"I'll be helping the girls and the coaches out where I can and will be concentrating on doing bit of opposition analysis as well as one on one coaching."
Brush, who previously spent time out of football playing AFLW for GWS, had been in the mix for a potential Matildas call-up, and a chance to add to two caps early in her career, when she suffered her initial ACL tear.
With former skipper Teresa Polias sitting out the coming season, Brush's injury is a further hit to the Sky Blues' on-field experience.
"We will miss her leadership qualities on the field which are nearly impossible to replace," coach Ante Juric said.
"However, she will still be part of our club and her help in coaching and mentoring will be invaluable to us, this year and beyond."
