SYDNEY’S finals aspirations have copped a hit with star swingman Brad Newley ruled out indefinitely with a hamstring injury.

Newley tweaked his hamstring during the Kings’ hard-fought loss to Perth on Saturday and it’s unknown when he’ll return.

The experienced sharpshooter requires scans on his injured hamstring and won’t travel to New Zealand on Friday to take on the Breakers.

Kings coach Andrew Gaze is devastated to lose a player of Newley’s calibre, especially with the team walking a tightrope to qualify for the post-season.

REPORT: Tough Wildcats outpoint Kings

The Kings Brad Newley will spend time on the sidelines after injuring himself against Perth Source: News Corp Australia

“It’s extraordinarily disappointing,” Gaze told The Daily Telegraph.

“Brad has been a very important part of our program this season and he has been playing really well.

“Even though sometimes he may not shoot the ball as well as he would like, his effort, his energy and the way in which he causes the opposition to guard him, he is going to be missed.

“But we are fortunate we’ve got good depth and we’ve got some other guys that can come in and we move on.”

Gaze remains hopeful Newley will return this season, but he won’t know officially until he sees scan results.

In the meantime, he says the Kings have the depth to push for a finals berth.

Versatile forward Greg Whittington is expected to replace Newley at small forward, while the likes of Tom Garlepp, Jeromire Hill, Garrett Jackson and

Craig Moller will all see more court time.

“It is sort of a rippling effect on how we mix it up,” he said.

“But as I said to the guys, in the last five or six games there has been a consistent pattern and that needs to change whether Brad is there or not.

Newley has been a key figure for the Kings all season Source: Getty Images

“Repeating what we’ve been doing is not going to be good enough.

“But there is going to be some opportunities for some guys and hopefully we can get the improvement that we need to get back on track.

“I’m certainly embracing the challenge.”

Gaze expects also rookie guard William McDowell-White to see more minutes, especially after his impressive NBL debut against Perth on Saturday.

The son of three-time AFL premiership winner Darryl White finished with eight points in just 10 minutes, while he won over plenty of admirers with his intensity in defence.

Kings coach Andrew Gaze described the loss of Newley as “extraordinarily disappointing” Source: Getty Images

“Will has made quick progress and he has only been here a week,” Gaze said.

“It seems like it has been a lot longer and for an 18-year-old kid the way in which he responded and the majority and composure was very impressive.

“Where Will is ultimately going to be successful goes beyond scoring.

“Right now, I think he is a better creator for others.

“He is a talented kid and he is making the type of progress where he is going to see more time.”

The Kings take on the Breakers in New Zealand from 5.30pm on Friday.