Sydney FC's marquee striker Filip Holosko will play no part in the Sky Blues' Asian Champions League campaign after being one of two foreigners omitted from their squad.

ACL regulations permit just three non-Asian foreigners per 25-man squad, leaving Graham Arnold with the dilemma of having to trim two of the club's five foreigners. Defender Jacques Faty is the other to miss out.

Slovakian international Holosko was left out due to concerns over his fitness and ability to handle the extensive travel on top of continuing to improve his form in the A-League. Despite being the only foreigner on Sydney's books with experience of playing in Asia, Faty was similarly spared from the travel for physical and conditioning reasons.

"They understand that it's a difficult decision and one we have made with the ambition of winning both competitions. It's been explained to them clearly that they aren't being dropped or disrespected," Arnold said.