The PFA have published an annual A-League injury report since the competition began in 2005 to to identify trends and develop strategies to counter them and minimise future problems.

Despite that though, the new report says the number of injuries over the course of last season was also on the rise with 156 injuries across the 10 sides.

But while the number of injuries has increased, their severity has improved...slightly

The number of games missed through injury decreased by 3.2% to 669 games down from 691 games in 2014/15. However those short-term injuries are costing the league more.

Almost a third (30.2%) of games missed were the result of 26 knee injuries that plagued the league last season with Sydney's Nick Carle and Corey Gameiro among those who suffered serious knee injuries. 

Each club saw on average 15.6 players miss league games through injury, with 2.5 players per team unavailable each game on average. 

The report adds that AFL players return to fitness 13.75% quicker than A-League players. As a result, A-League players missed an average of 4.29 games per injury while AFL players were back in action after 3.7 games on average.

The PFA recommended clubs take special measures to prevent knee injuries and concussions, and also backed a rethinking of domestic and international competition schedules.

PFA Chief Executive John Didulica highlighted the importance of the annual reports in promoting safety for the athletes.

“The findings of the report are important in the PFA’s efforts to ensure the A-League aspires to best practice,” he said.

“But also more broadly is intended as a resource we can engage proactively with the clubs and the FFA to ensure player health and safety has ongoing visibility."

Didulica also revealed further efforts by both the PFA and the FFA are being taken to further reduce the impact of injuries on the players and the league.

“New A-League Minimum Medical Standards have just been agreed between the PFA and FFA,” he said.

“The effective implementation and monitoring of these standards will be fundamental to the further reduction of injuries.”