Western Sydney Wanderers are only one day into pre-season training but have already suffered a setback.

Coach Markus Babbel confirmed on Wednesday that keeper Vedran Janjetovic could be out of action for up to six months.

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Janjetovic, who endured an inconsistent 2018/19 campaign, was set to battle with new recruit Daniel Lopar for the no.1 jersey but the Swiss gloveman now has the inside running.

"Daniel Lopar...very important now especially with the injury to Vedran - he's fallen out for 3 to 6 months,” said Babbel, who didn’t reveal what Janjetovic’s injury was.

"I'm very happy with Daniel. He's an experienced guy and he'll also help the young ones to improve.”



After a disappointing eighth-place finish last season, Babbel has put a broom through his Wanderers squad with more than a dozen players having left the club.

The German has so far brought in the likes of Lopar, Swiss midfielder Pirmin Schwegler, Polish playmaker Radoslaw Majewski and experienced defenders Daniel Georgievski and Dylan McGowan.

"I'm very optimistic that we have a good side,” Babbel said.

"For me it was clear we would have changes, we had to do something and the players are there and if we're totally optimistic about them we have to take them.

"I'm very happy with the players. Don't forget Patrick Ziegler, he's like a new signing for us, he hasn't played a lot in the past but when the season starts in October he will be 100%.

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The Wanderers’ first test of the pre-season will be the friendly against English Championship side Leeds United on July 20, their first match at the new Bankwest Stadium.

"There's so much to look forward to with that game," said attacker Mitchell Duke.

"It's going to be our first game at the new stadium against a strong opposition, who are a massive club in England and who have a lot of history so it's going to be a massive test for us.

"It's always nice to test yourself against teams and players to see where you are at and what you need to get to before the season starts.”