Brebner has failed to recover from a groin injury that interrupted his A-League season, while Hernandez received confirmation today that he strained his medial ligament in a training mishap earlier this week.

Hernandez, who made a successful return to the Costa Rica national team in two internationals earlier this month, fell awkwardly on his knee during a routine training drill and is expected to miss the club’s first three matches in Asia’s premier club competition.

Victory Coach Ernie Merrick said he was hopeful of Hernandez returning for Victory’s match against Gamba Osaka in Japan on Wednesday, 23 April.

“It was just one of those training incidents with no-one near him,” Merrick said. “He turned and his foot got stuck and twisted his knee.

“He’s strained his medial ligament and the scans show that it’s probably a six week injury, so he should be available for our fourth match in the AFC Champions League.”

Brebner’s rehabilitation program will continue after the club decided not to risk the midfielder for the Group Stage of the Champions League, ensuring he’s fully fit for next season.

“Grant Brebner has been making great progress, in fact his progress is so good that we won’t be using him during the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League to make sure he’s 100 per cent for the A-League,” Merrick added.

On a more positive note, Nick Ward has begun training with the squad after groin surgery and is expected to be ready for Victory’s historic first AFC Champions League match against Korea Republic’s Chunnam Dragons at Telstra Dome.

“Nick Ward is now joining in with training and his progress is now at a stage where he’s improving rapidly,” Merrick said.

“His rehab stage is over and he’s now getting back to ball work and match practice.

“He won’t be available for our game on Tuesday against Adelaide United, but he should be ready for the first AFC Champions League game against the Chunnam Dragons on March 12.”