RYAN Austin’s comeback game for Burton Albion came to a painful and abrupt halt.
The 25-year-old defender made an unannounced appearance in a private friendly on Tuesday — eight months after rupturing knee ligaments — but it lasted only five minutes.
Instead of a 45-minute run-out in a reserve team game against AFC Telford United at the Bucks Head, the unlucky Austin found himself being taken to hospital for treatment to a facial injury.
The mishap meant a night of frustration for manager Paul Peschisolido as well as the player.
The Brewers boss said: “We lost the game 1-0 and Ryan’s injury made it a terrible night for us.
“He got caught in the face by an elbow and needed stitches for a gash to his chin.
“I was hoping we might be able to patch him up and get him back on the pitch, but in the end he had to go to hospital.” The injury will not markedly delay Austin’s recovery from the injury suffered in an FA Cup tie at Gillingham in November, but Peschisolido was still dismayed.
He said: “The whole idea of the game was to get Ryan some pitch time, so it was a huge disappointment when he had to come off so soon after the start.
“We’ll be looking to organise another game for him as quickly as possible because in the short time he was on the pitch, Ryan looked as though he’s ready to take things to the next level.” Austin had a knee operation in January and has spent time this summer at the National Sports Centre, Lilleshall, to help his rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, a scan on the dislocated shoulder of midfielder Adam Bolder has confirmed he is likely to be out of action until the end of next month.
Peschisolido said: “Adam’s a tough lad who knows how to play through the pain barrier, but it’s going to take him a while to get over this injury.
“The scan turned up the best case scenario in that the damage around the shoulder joint is not first degree, but I still anticipate that he will be out for four to six weeks.” Bolder was hurt in a heavy fall shortly before half-time in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat away to Cheltenham Town and needed emergency hospital treatment before being allowed home.
HEREFORD United, who visit the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday, have strengthened their squad with the deadline day signings of striker Amadou Rabihou and leftsided player Dominik Werling.
Cameroonian Rabihou, 25, has previously had spells at AC Milan and Sturm Graz and joins after a successful trial.
He has initially signed a deal until the end of December, subject to international clearance.
Werling, 27, has again teamed up with boss Simon Davey after playing under him at Barnsley and Darlington.
Germany-born Werling was playing for Turkish side Sakaryaspor when Davey first signed him, for Barnsley.
He had a spell with Huddersfield Town before moving on to play for Darlington during the summer but was unable to command a place in the first team at the Blue Square Bet Premier club.
Werling decided to buy himself out of his contract with the Quakers in order to again play under Davey at Edgar Street.
