Jordan O’Doherty will miss the rest of the Hyundai A-League season following confirmation of an anterior cruciate ligament injury from Western Sydney Wanderers today.
O’Doherty departed Sunday’s 1-1 stalemate with Perth Glory on a stretcher early in the first half after his left knee buckled.
It is a cruel blow for the 21-year-old, but the midfielder told the club’s official website he was determined to return stronger than ever.
“This (injury) will spur me on to get back stronger than I’ve ever been before,” said O’Doherty.
“I’m absolutely gutted that I’m going to miss so much football but the road to recovery and hard work starts now.
“Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to message me, I truly do appreciate the support.”
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O’Doherty has been used favourably by Wanderers boss Markus Babbel this season and scored in the Red and Black’s 3-0 win over Wellington Phoenix last November.
He has made 16 starts for the Red and Black overall, a higher tally than each of his previous two seasons in the competition with former employers Adelaide United.
Tributes have flooded in for O’Doherty from around the league, including from Sydney FC CEO Danny Townsend, Melbourne City star Ritchie De Laet and former Adelaide teammate Carlo Armiento.
Absolutely gutted.
Hearing that I will have to miss out on so much football is a very hard pill to swallow..
The hard work starts now & I will do everything I can to get back even better than before.
Thank-you to everyone for their messages of support, I truly do appreciate it ❤️— Jordan O'Doherty (@j_odoherty) February 25, 2019
All the best Jordan – you will bounce back for sure!
— Danny Townsend (@drt15) February 25, 2019
All the best mate on your recovery mate.
— Scott Jamieson (@ScottJamieson) February 25, 2019
???? better and stronger bro all the best!
— Mitchell Duke (@mitchduke8) February 25, 2019
All the best on your recovery mate ??
— ritchie de laet (@de_laet_r) February 25, 2019
?
— Riley McGree (@McgreeRiley) February 25, 2019
Sending love brother.
— Jarrod Walsh (@jarrodwalsh) February 25, 2019
All the best with the recovery ❤️
— Carlo Armiento (@armiento11) February 25, 2019
All the best mate ??
— Jack Hingert (@hingert19) February 25, 2019
All the best with your recovery Jordan – hope to see you back out there soon.
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) February 25, 2019