Alessandro Del Piero's hamstring injury has opened the door for Sydney FC's new striker Ranko Despotovic to get his first A-League start as the Sky Blues chase a record fifth straight win when they face the Central Coast on Saturday.

Del Piero was ruled out of the trip to Gosford due to the injury suffered in last week's 2-0 win over Newcastle.

Despotovic came on as a substitute for the veteran Italian to great effect, scoring his second goal in as many games to help Sydney to a club-record fourth win on the trot.

Coach Frank Farina expects Del Piero to be fit when Sydney host Melbourne Heart next week but has confirmed the new 30-year-old Serbian recruit will get his first start this week.

"Ranko will start," Farina said ahead of training on Thursday.