Having overcome a red card and a stream of online abuse in recent weeks, Sydney FC striker Patrick Wood's latest challenge comes in the form of a long-term ankle injury.
The 21-year-old is set to be sidelined for 12 weeks after aggravating a stress fracture in his ankle in the Sky Blues' 3-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners last round.
Wood, who has been managing the stress fracture for four weeks, returned to action against the Mariners on Saturday after copping a one-match ban for a red card against Melbourne Victory in round 14.
A clip of the striker missing a goal from point-blank range in the first half against the Mariners went viral online, triggering a storm of abuse for the player.
Sydney FC coach Ufuk Talay hit back at Wood's online detractors.
"Some comments and some messages that have been sent to him have been quite disgraceful," Talay said on Thursday.
"He's a player that gives his all every time he puts on the shirt. He plays with a lot of pride.
"I understand that we live in the public eye, but what they don't see is that he's had a stress fracture in his ankle for quite a few weeks and he's been playing through the pain.
"He's aggravated it even more so he's in a boot at the moment with crutches.
"Players make mistakes, coaches make mistakes, referees make mistakes.
"We're not going to get it right 100 per cent every time."
Midfielder Anthony Caceres also expressed his disappointment with the treatment Wood has received.
Caceres ran rampant in Saturday's wet-weather skirmish, notching an assist before finding the net himself to help launch his side into the A-League Men top six.
"There were many positives people could have taken and spoken about ... the fact that (Wood) created that chance himself with his energy and his intent," Caceres said.
"I don't think people understand how difficult it is to play when you're injured, let alone have a stress fracture the way 'Woody' does have.
"It's unfortunate he didn't reward himself but the reaction is pretty disappointing.
"He's not the first person to miss a chance. I've seen it even at the very top level.
"Things on the field happen at 100 miles an hour."
Sydney return home to Allianz Stadium to host ninth-placed Adelaide United on Saturday.
