Everton star Armando Broja left needing oxygen after injury leaves him in agony

Everton striker Armando Broja had to be taken off the pitch on a stretcher after sustaining what looked like a serious ankle injury.

Broja came off the bench in the second half of Everton's FA Cup third-round tie against Peterborough United on Thursday night. The Albania international went down awkwardly while chasing a ball down the flanks in the latter stages of the match.

After a seven-minute stoppage, which involved several physios and Goodison Park's medical staff, he was given oxygen and taken off on a stretcher to applause from around the ground.

"Armando Broja is so unlucky with injuries," Martin Keown said on co-commentary for the BBC. "He has done his ACL before and was out for a long time. Since he's been at Everton it has been injury after injury.

"He doesn't look well, he has done something serious to that ankle. They are giving him oxygen." Broja went down in agony in the 84th minute after a Peterborough defender slid in to win the ball.

He appeared to twist his knee before landing uncomfortably on the turf. The match continued on, with the referee not needing to stop the match because it wasn't a head injury.

Once the ball went out of play, Everton's medical staff ran onto the field to help their stricken player. Broja was only making his sixth appearance of the season for Everton, having struggled with injuries.

Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)

Relaying the news on Twitter, Everton wrote: "Our thoughts are with you Armando".

Broja missed the 2022/23 season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. After loans at Southampton and Fulham, he joined Everton on loan from Chelsea in August.

Everton won the game 2-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Beto and a 97th-minute penalty from Illiman Ndiaye. It was an eventful night for the home side, who were managed by Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman after Sean Dyche was sacked just three hours before kick-off.

Image: PA) PA)

Broja's injury could be a huge blow for Everton, who sit 16th in the Premier League, just a point above the relegation zone after a run of one win in their last 10 matches. The Toffees are also without fellow forwards Youssef Chermiti and Dominic Calvert-Lewin due to injury, leaving Beto as the only option up front.

The club's new owners, The Friedkin Group, are in talks with David Moyes over the newly-vacant manager's position. If those talks go well then the former Everton boss could return in time to take charge of their next game against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday.

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