O'Riley: I am ready to play

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Denmark international hoping to be involved on Saturday.

Nick Szczepanik

2024-11-09T06:00+00:00

Matt O'Riley has been recovering from an ankle injury he sustained early on in his debut against Crawley Town in the Carabao Cup. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Matt O’Riley insists that he is closing in on a return to the first team and would like to get his first taste of Premier League action this Saturday, when Albion entertain reigning champions Manchester City.

The Denmark midfielder’s debut after signing from Celtic in August lasted only nine minutes of the Carabao Cup tie at home to Crawley Town. He required surgery on an ankle injury following a challenge by Crawley captain Jay Williams but now feels ready to go again.

“I’m very hopeful that I’ll be in the squad this weekend,” he said. “I’ve been outside (on the training pitch) for over three weeks now. Fitness-wise I could still improve but I feel good. These are the games you want to play in, so why not?”

Recovery involved a lot of work in the gym before he could join in first-team activities.

“Being back in training with the team on the pitch now makes it easier to settle in,” the 23-year-old said. “I feel good and it’s nice to touch footballs again.

Matt O'Riley is aiming to make his Premier League debut on Saturday. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“It has gone pretty quickly, to be fair. I’ve been in a good place considering. It has taken quite a lot of work as well, and not just by me, which is something I’m very conscious of.”

Staying positive throughout his rehab has been the key, he says. “Yes, of course. Your outlook affects everything. When I go home I try to be as positive as possible and as good of a person as I can with my girlfriend or my mum and dad. If I’m able to do that then it transfers back when I’m at the training ground and I think it’s a good habit to get into.

“It has been very different from the last four years because I haven’t been playing, so that has been a big change. But I have been able to settle in while seeing how the team plays, the structure of the team and the whole environment at the training ground.

“I can see where my role might be in the team so that when I come back into the team I will be prepared. Those are the positives.”