Injury blow for Didulica

JOE DIDULICA has suffered an ankle injury and is expected to miss the start of the campaign for Ajax.

The Australian goalkeeper suffered a nasty looking fall during training on Monday, and initial tests confirmed ligament damage and a bone injury that are expected to sideline him for around six weeks.

The 24-year-old has been omitted from the trip to the British Isles in order for him to receive intensive treatment in Amsterdam.

The injury is a bitter blow to the Australian, who had a real chance of starting the season as Ajax`s number one.

Following the departure of Fred Grim, coach Ronald Koeman was considering who, out of Didulica, Bogdan Lobont and Maarten Stekelenburg, to start in goal.

Lobont is likely to get the nod, with a raid on the transfer market unlikely as Koeman attempts to trim his squad.

Juventus ace Fabian Carini has been linked with a move to the Amsterdam ArenA, but Arsenal are heading the chase to land the Uruguayan.