A PREMIER LEAGUE prospect suffered a brutal injury during Wednesday’s match between Everton U21 and Bradford City.
Everton‘s 18-year-old winger Joel Catesby had to be stretchered off in his side’s 5-1 loss to the Bantams in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.
He was on the receiving end of a hard but seemingly innocuous tackle from right-back Brad Halliday as he tried to counter attack in the 58th minute.
The referee quickly stopped play, however, as the teen stayed down and was clearly in pain.
In video of the game, which was broadcast on Sky Sports+, fans quickly noticed that there was an evident and grisly injury to Catesby’s ankle.
Catesby’s boot pointed sickeningly in the wrong direction, suggesting a break or severe dislocation of the joint.
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He was down for almost ten minutes receiving treatment, before being stretchered off the pitch to the warm applause of the home and away fans.
The club quickly gave the youngster their best wishes for his recovery on social media.
They said: “Everyone at the Club wishes Joel Catesby a speedy recovery following the injury sustained away at Bradford this evening.
“We will update fans on the extent of Joel’s injury in due course. Best wishes, Joel.”
Their statement was echoed by supporters of both clubs.
One Everton fan said: “Horror injury for any player. Speedy recovery, Joel.”
While a Bradford fan added: “All Bradford City fans wish Joel the speediest and fullest of recoveries. Hope he is back on the pitch ASAP.”
In a moment of class, Bradford midfielder and former Everton youngster Jenson Metcalfe began his post-match interview by taking the time to give Catesby his well wishes.
He said: “Firstly, I just want to wish Joel a speedy recovery, it’s never easy seeing someone go down like that and you know it’s going to be a long recovery.
“But he has got the great medical staff there who I worked closely as well with a tough injury, and I am sure that he will be back better.”
As yet, we do not have any more details as to the extent of the teen’s injury, but it is fair to say he will be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he works to recover.
He joined the club aged just four, and signed his first pro contract last year, but suffered an injury-hampered season that campaign with the u18 side.
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