Mariners boss explains Socceroo's absence from ACL Elite clash ...

Central Coast Mariners head coach Mark Jackson revealed Trent Sainsbury is suffering from an “upper-body muscle injury” as the Isuzu UTE A-League champions await a second opinion to discover the best course of action after the Socceroos defender sat out Tuesday’s AFC Champions League Elite clash.

Sainsbury was a notable absentee from Central Coast’s squad in Gosford, where the Mariners lost 2-1 to Thai champions Buriram United on matchday two.

The Australia international watched from the stands at Industree Group Stadium in a blow for Central Coast, who are scheduled to begin their Isuzu UTE A-League title defence against Melbourne Victory on October 18.

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“Trent’s suffering with an upper-body muscle injury. We have to get that fully assessed,” Jackson told reporters post-match.

“He had a knock in Shandong on his foot as well. He was struggling with that too.

“We have to see where that lies in the next few days. There’s no doubt he was a big miss tonight but that’s why we have squads, this is why we have players to cover positions so we can deal with things like that.

“We’re hoping it won’t be too bad but we have to wait and see in the next few days.”

Jackson added: “He’s had a scan and we need a second opinion to see what course of action we need to take with the muscle injury.

“Whether we can be conservative or back in contention soon.

“…We’re just waiting to see. You look at the scans and you need that specialist opinion to see how to rectify it.”

Sainsbury, who was seen in his tracksuit greeting Buriram defender and former Melbourne City star Curtis Good in the tunnel pre-game, is back at Industree Group Stadium following a decade away from the Mariners.

He started Central Coast’s ACL Elite opener last season – a 3-1 loss away to 2023-24 quarter-finals Shandong Taishan.