Fabian Hurzeler reacts to biggest injury blow to date as selection process revealed ahead of Wolves
Brighton welcome Wolves to the Amex Stadium tonight for the third round of the Carabao Cup
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler insists the nasty injury to Matt O’Riley will not play on his mind ahead of the Carabao Cup clash with Wolves.
O’Riley was clattered by Crawley Town captain Jay Williams just six minutes into his Brighton debut during the 4-0 win in the second round of the competition last month. The midfielder was helped off the pitch and later required ankle surgery, which will likely keep him out until the new year at least. It was a devastating blow for Brighton and O’Riley, who had just joined the Seagulls from Celtic following his £25m summer move. It’s the most serious injury blow Hurzeler has had to contend with since joining Brighton.
The German boss is likely to make numerous changes for tonight’s tie against Wolves at the Amex Stadium but the former St Pauli manager said O’Riley’s injury will not impact his decision making process for this or future Carabao Cup games.
“I don’t think about it like this,” Hurzeler said. “Injuries in football, they can happen. Injuries like this should not happen but it is part of the game. Some injuries you can avoid, by regulating the players and trying to prepare them well for the games and by looking at their statistics but some injuries you can’t avoid.
