Midfielder Cam Howieson<\/a>, who assisted Lachlan Brook\u2019s goal, was forced off after being poked in the eye, while captain Hiroki Sakai<\/a> battled through groin tightness after feeling discomfort during the warm-up.<\/p>\n Both are expected to be available for Friday\u2019s return leg, but there are more significant concerns surrounding Uruguayan forward Guillermo May<\/a>, who limped off with an ankle injury.<\/p>\n Speaking to Newstalk ZB on Sunday, Auckland FC assistant coach Danny Hay said May was in a moon boot and the signs were not promising.<\/p>\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t had the scan as yet, but it\u2019s not looking great for him at this stage,\u201d Hay said. \u201cHe\u2019s in, he\u2019s in quite a bit of discomfort.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s such an important player for us. I thought he was playing particularly well as well before the innocuous injury.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can only hope hope the best for him. He was devastated and you can understand why when he came off and we\u2019re hoping that things can turn around for him and he gets a little bit of luck.\u201d<\/p>\n Auckland were already missing midfielders Felipe Gallegos (hamstring) and Jake Brimmer (calf), although defender Francis de Vries made his return from a calf injury off the bench.<\/p>\n Striker Sam Cosgrove also continues to play through pain after tearing a ligament in his ankle<\/a> last month, requiring injections to get through matches.<\/p>\n The club\u2019s leading scorer, with 11 goals in his debut season, said there was no chance he would sit out with a grand final spot on the line.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d not trained properly on it all week, so I was a bit apprehensive on how it was going to pull up,\u201d Cosgrove said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve worked hard all year and we wanted the Premiers [Plate] and now that the Premiers haven\u2019t come to fruition … I want to go and win the grand final and if I can help the team and the manager keeps on wanting to put me in the team then I\u2019ll be there available for him.\u201d<\/p>\n The two sides have become difficult to separate over the past two seasons. Of their five meetings, four have ended in draws, while Auckland have claimed one win.<\/p>\n Corica said his squad remained completely focused on reaching the grand final, despite speculation some players may have already played their final home game for the club.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s only one thing that we\u2019re focusing on [and that] is making the grand final and winning it,\u201d the coach said.<\/p>\n \u201cNot getting there, we\u2019re going to get there.\u201d<\/p>\n If the aggregate score is level after Friday night\u2019s match, the semi-final will go to extra time and, if required, penalties.<\/p>\n Auckland will take confidence from last weekend\u2019s home elimination final, where they defeated Melbourne City in a penalty shootout<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the other semi-final, Newcastle and Sydney FC played out a 1-1 draw in the opening leg.<\/p>\nCameron Howieson leaves the field after being poked in the eye. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Sam Cosgrove. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n