Matildas great Lydia Williams’s professional career is in doubt after Melbourne Victory confirmed the veteran goalkeeper would miss the remainder of the A-League Women season through injury.
Williams, who officially retired from the Matildas last June, has not played in Victory’s current campaign since suffering a wrist injury. She also recently had surgery.
Victory had been unwilling to draw a line through Williams but on Thursday coach Jeff Hopkins conceded her season was likely over.
Williams, whose most recent club game was last season’s elimination-final loss to Central Coast, is out of contract at the season’s end.
The 36-year-old is yet to make a decision on her playing future and will be given time and space to consider it.
“[It] probably looks like Lyds won’t play again this season,” Hopkins said on Thursday.
“She’s had an operation and, although it’s gone really well, probably I don’t think that will allow her to play this season.”
Hopkins was unwilling to speculate on Williams’s future beyond the season.
“I’ve not really gone any further into it than that,” he said.
“Obviously it’s disappointing for her that the injury is going to take that long.
“I don’t know … I don’t want to speak for Lyds as well. I think that one’s better left for further down the line and for Lyds to answer as well.”
Williams had a stirring international send-off with the Matildas in a friendly against China last June.
She has 104 Matildas caps, attended five World Cups, six AFC women’s Asian Cups — including the 2010 title triumph — and two Olympic Games.
Her decorated club career has featured stints at Melbourne City, Canberra United and clubs across the United States, England and Europe, including Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
In Williams’s absence, Courtney Newbon has been starting goalkeeper for the Victory, with Geo Candy, who just received a maiden New Zealand call-up, serving as back-up.
AAP
