Football

New Brighton Signing Matt O’Riley Limps Off After Suffering Ankle Injury Just Nine Minutes Into His Debut

By
Cai Parry
Author photo
Cai Parry Sports Editor

Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.

Get to know Cai Parry better
Sports Editor

Published28 Aug 2024

Disclosure
We publish independently audited information that meets our strong editorial guidelines. Be aware we may earn a commission if you purchase anything via links on our pages.
Brighton O'Riley Injury

Brighton summer signing Matt O’Riley has gotten off to the worst possible start at the Amex after he was forced off with an ankle injury just nine minutes into his debut against Crawley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

Having joined Brighton from Celtic for a fee just shy of £25 million on Monday, Matt O’Riley was thrown into the line-up straight away to make his debut for the club in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening.

Unfortunately for the Denmark international, his first appearance was cut short as he was forced to limp off with an ankle injury after being on the receiving end of Crawley Town captain Jay Williams’ nasty challenge.

Brighton Boss Huerzeler Provides O’Riley Injury Update

The Seagulls went on to win the match by a comfortable 4-0 scoreline, with Simon Adingra, Jeremy Sarmiento, Adam Webster, and Mark O’Mahony all getting on the scoresheet, however Brighton boss Fabian Huerzeler was less than impressed with the foul that led to O’Riley’s injury in his post-match press conference.

Huerzeler told the media: “I think after this foul it was like the players could tackle like they wanted because he didn’t get a yellow card.

“For me, it is a clear red card. You can’t tackle like this, but you can play hard and you can be ruthless.

“I talked to [O’Riley] when he went off the pitch, he couldn’t get any weight on his ankle, so let’s see, we have to scan it.

“I think players know their bodies best, so his reaction was not good.”

Crawley boss Scott Lindsey responded, apologising for his side’s aggressiveness: “Maybe we were a bit aggressive, maybe the referee missed it (the challenge), and I would like to apologise.

“I wouldn’t want anyone to be hurt. We are both passionate about the game, and we wish Brighton all the best in the next round.”

A Premier League debut could’ve potentially been on the cards for O’Riley on Saturday afternoon, with Brighton facing Arsenal at the Emirates, however it now looks as though the 23-year-old will face a spell on the sidelines before making his top-flight bow.

Full Brighton Injury List

  • Solly March – Knee Injury (Ruled Out)
  • Matt O’Riley -Ankle Injury (Doubtful)
  • Mats Wieffer – Knock (Doubtful)
  • Brajan Gruda – Unknown (Doubtful)