The 17 year old keeper has torn ligaments in his right ankle but while x-rays ruled out a fracture, Birighitti is likely to be unavailable for the remainder of the regular A-League season.

The injury occurred after Birighitti fell awkwardly just minutes from the end of the team’s training session in Yokohama in the lead up to this afternoon’s play-off for fifth and sixth spot against African champions Al Ahly in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Adelaide United coach Aurelio Vidmar said he feels sorry for Birighitti, and especially disappointing because he has been important for the club this season in covering injuries to current first choice keeper Eugene Galekovic.

Vidmar has already began the search for a replacement and is expected to make an announcement in the next week prior to the Reds’ match against Perth Glory on Boxing Day.

“We have a couple of candidates we’ve got our eye on and we’ll make a decision within a week once we find out a bit more about them,” Vidmar said.