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 Corica confirmed May would undergo scans and admitted the early signs were not encouraging.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t look great, but it\u2019s hard to say right now,\u201d he said.<\/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