The search for injury replacements is doing Graham Arnold’s head in, but the Sydney FC coach is hopeful his first signing isn’t too far away.

As the January transfer window looms, Arnold said on Monday he had been spending five hours a day tracking potential recruits on an international scouting website boasting a database of more than 220,000 players across 75 countries.

He has been on the lookout since November, when the Sky Blues’ top-scorer Corey Gameiro was lost to an ACL injury. Three other stars have joined him in being ruled out for the season since.

‘‘It’s a long search,’’ Arnold said.

‘‘I’m on the phone at all hours at night trying to bring some players in but it’s not easy.

‘‘I’m watching them on Wyscout five hours a day and it’s doing my brain in.

‘‘I’d rather be thinking about something else, but that’s my job, that’s what I want to give to the supporters. They’re the best supporters in the league.’’

Given he can’t afford to match the salaries offered in Europe’s top leagues to sign players on a loan deal, Arnold is looking at those who aren’t being paid or had contracts breached.

‘‘There’s a possibility of hopefully getting them out here to Australia where they know they’re going to get paid,’’ he added.

Asked when the first deal was likely, Arnold said: ‘‘Hopefully not too far.

‘‘The January transfer window opens (soon). I’m in contact with agents all the time.

‘‘Fortunately I’ve got a very good network of agents in Europe, and I think the European players to bring out would suit Australian lifestyle and mentality.

‘‘We’re not going to bring players out for a holiday or the players out because Australia’s a beautiful place to live.

‘‘They have to want to come out for the right reasons and the right reasons are to play football and be successful.

‘‘I will fight for this club all the way through.

‘‘I love this club, I love the players in the dressing room and I know that we’ve got a plan in place and that plan will eventually work.’’

Sydney FC take on Brisbane Roar at Suncorp on Tuesday night, then head to Wollongong this weekend for Saturday’s clash with Newcastle Jets.

The Sky Blues and Jets will play at WIN Stadium kicking off at 7.30pm.

-AAP