Young NZ footballer suffers suspected broken leg in season opener

Monty Patterson (Photosport file)
Monty Patterson (Photosport file)

New Zealand under-20 and under-23 representative Monty Patterson has suffered a suspected broken leg in an English age-grade match on the opening day of the season.

The 18-year-old came on as a substitute for Ipswich Town against Leeds United when he fell awkwardly and was stretchered off the field.

The Eastern Suburbs winger earned a two-year youth contract with Ipswich, whose senior side play in the English Championship, when he was 16.

Patterson appeared at both the U20 Football World Cup and Pacific Games/Olympic Qualifying tournament in Papua New Guinea for New Zealand.

After the game, Ipswich teammate Alex Henshall said he'd never seen anything like Patterson's injury on the football field.

"Never seen anything like that on a football field personally 😩 really hope monty recovers well 🙏 horrible for anyone 😔"

"@PattersonMonty wish you all the best bro 👏 rest up, speak soon x"

Ipswich won the game 2-1.

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