It doesn't look good for ex-Celtic star Matt O'Riley following a horror start to his Brighton career.
That's according to his new head coach Fabian Hurzeler, who fears the worst following a shocking challenge on their new £25m signing from the Scottish Premiership champions.
The Denmark international was spotted leaving the Amex Stadium on crutches after the Seagulls ran out comfortable winners in their EFL Cup clash with Crawley.
That's because the 23-year-old was forced off the pitch after only eight minutes following a terrible tackle by Jay Williams around the halfway line as he looked to break on the League One side.
🚨🎥 This is thehorror tackle that injured Matt O’Riley on his Brighton debut. 😳pic.twitter.com/tmBiKQAXFT
— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) August 27, 2024
O'Riley received immediate medical attention before being helped off the pitch, as Mark O'Mahony replaced him early doors.
It was the worst possible start for the playmaker after his future was finally sealed just 24 hours earlier.
Hurzeler addressed what happened to his new signing post-match when speaking to the media.
And the American admits the initial signs 'don't look good' for the midfielder, with the player set for a scan today.
“I talked to [O’Riley] when he went off the pitch, he couldn't get any weight on his ankle, so let's see," the 31-year-old head coach said. "We have to scan it.
"I think players know their body best so his reaction was not good.”
Crawley boss Scott Lindsey said: “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.”
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Brendan Rodgers is hopeful of sealing his O'Riley replacement in the coming days before Friday's 11pm transfer deadline.
It seems the Hoops yesterday improved their offer for Augsburg midfielder Arne Engels, upping their initial bid from £6.5m to £9m.
LAFC playmaker Mateusz Bogusz is another player on Celtic's radar.
