Ossett Albion manager Richard Tracey has admitted that the injury to Ryan Harrison has been “devastating”
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A serious injury to star winger Ryan Harrison has “devastated” everyone at Ossett Albion, Richard Tracey has said.
Harrison was taken off with a serious knee injury during the first half of Albion’s 0-0 draw at Prescot Cables last Saturday.
The former Farsley AFC winger is facing a lengthy spell on the side-lines after enjoying the best form of his career at Dimple Wells.
He scored the goal which kept Ossett in the Evo Stik Division One North last season and was in great form during pre-season and Tracey admits the injury is a massive blow.
Nicky Matthews was also taken off injured as well at Prescot.
“In terms of injuries, we have had a horrendous week,” Tracey, whose side host Northwich Victoria, told Non League Yorkshire.
“To go to Prescot and lose two key players in the first 40 minutes is horrendous.
“Ryan is looking at six to 12 months out. We are waiting for results of a scan he can’t have until the swelling goes down.
“Nicky’s was more of an impact injury so hopefully we will be available over the weekend.
“Ryan saw a knee specialist on Tuesday and he thinks it is possibly medial and cruciate, but to what extent, we don’t know yet.
“Ryan has been flying. He has learn a lot in the last 12 months and his game has come on so much.
“It’s just a shame to be penalised in such a way. The funny thing is that nobody was near him. You can’t blame anyone.
“We’re all devastated for Ryan and he’ll be a big loss.
“He was essential to what we’re doing. He is one of our key players and he gives us an outlet.
“He’s got pace, goals so I think for any club at this level, Ryan would be in and around their team, even at the top end.”
Ossett Albion winger Ryan Harrison is facing a lengthy spell on the side-lines
Tracey hopes Albion already have enough bodies at the club to cover for Harrison’s spell on the side-lines.
He does, however, admit that he still wants to recruit a clinical goal-scorer.
“We had a fantastic number of players during pre-season – 25,” he said.
“There were players not involved on Tuesday that came in late during pre-season who haven’t had the opportunity.
“We have lads in the wings who are ready to go. Ben Grech-Brooksbanks is ready to come in along with Adam Muller and David Brown, who has been on the bench for the last two games.
“We have the bodies to do (to replace Harrison).
“I always do say we are on the lookout for an-out-and-out goalscorer. That’s what caused us our problems last year.
“We were touch and go with someone (in the summer), but he ended up going to the Conference North.
“The person in question has not played yet so we’re in discussions with the club and they have asked to get through the Bank Holiday weekend before they make a decision.
“We’re also watching a number of clubs around here who have a surplus of far-out what you can turn out in a 16-man squad.”
The ambitions for Ossett remain the same, but, Tracey claims the task is more difficult this year.
“The aim, first and foremost, is to get safe,” he said.
“We can flowery it up, but this league is going to be ridiculously tough this year.
“Spennymoor, Darlington and Scarborough, who got a good-hiding off Salford.
“It is going to be a league of two divisions. There is going to be a top ten which is really strong.
“In hindsight, Saturday was a really disappointing result.
“There is eight or ten teams that we have to target wins against and Prescot are one of them.”