It has been a torrid campaign for O'Riley and his is set to miss the Premier League clash with Manchester City
13:45, 15 Mar 2025
Brighton and Hove Albion's Matt O'Riley
Brighton and Hove Albion's Matt O'Riley(Image: PA)
Boss Fabian Hurzeler has backed luckless Matt O'Riley to make his mark at Brighton before the end of the season after his latest injury setback.
The £25million and rising signing from Celtic has endured a tough season which started on a sour note with the Seagulls when he suffered a serious injury on his debut against Crawley.
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The 24-year-old has flashed glimpses, however, the winner against Manchester City was a rare highlight amid a tough campaign in the Premier League.
The Denmark international had been set for a run out in the FA Cup triumph over Newcastle - but missed the showdown due to illness.
O'Riley would then miss out on the Premier League clash with Fulham after picking up a knee injury - and boss Hurzeler has revealed he will miss out on the clash with Pep Guardiola's men on Saturday.
O'Riley will be absent from the game alongside teammates Mats Wieffer and Ferdi Kadioglu - who have also been plagued by fitness woes throughout the campaign.
But the German gaffer insists the trio can still make an impact at the AMEX Stadium before time is called on the campaign.
He told The Argus: "We are working hard on this and they're working hard on this. The season is still long.
“There's still a lot of games to play. We’re really trying to push hard to get them back into the team as quickly as possible.
“The Premier League has a special intensity. You can't compare it with the other leagues. You really have to give them this time to adapt.
Matt O'Riley went down injured against Crawley(Image: PA)
“We do it as a team and they do it as an individual. Hopefully they will all be a good option for us during this season.”
Earlier this season, O'Riley admitted he was on a learning curve despite recurring issues this term.
On his Brighton spell, he said in December: "I’m really enjoying it, it’s been lot of learning this season.
"It’s been quite stop-start at times since Christmas, I’ve had a few unlucky moments, so I’m just trying to get the rhythm back again.
"I took another knock to my knee against Ipswich, which unfortunately kept me out for the Manchester United game, but hopefully I’ll get back in the groove again.
"It’s been that recurring theme this season, so it will be nice to get some rhythm to help me out in training and to get some games. But I’ve learnt a lot about myself mentally throughout these times, now I’m feeling good."
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