One Direction star Louis Tomlinson pulls out of Doncaster Rovers debut due to injury picked up in Gabriel Agbonlahor tackle

The singer will still be on the bench for the match and has apologised to fans who were going to the reserves match against Scunthorpe tomorrow

Monday 16 September 2013 11:02 EDT

Hopefully Tomlinson will do better than during his last match (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

“Directioners” had feared the worst when they saw Louis Tomlinson barged to the ground by Gabriel Agbonlahor during Stiliyan Petrov’s charity match at Celtic’s Parkhead ground last weekend, and now their nightmares have been confirmed – Tomlinson has been forced to pull out of his Doncaster Rovers debut due to injury.

Tomlinson, who makes up one-fifth of the boy-band One Direction, took to his official Twitter account to confirm the news that he won’t be able to take part in Rovers’ reserve match against Scunthorpe tomorrow night.

"Unfortunately due to injury I cannot play at this week's Doncaster Rovers match,” he wrote. “I will still be attending the match on the bench.

"I will play in another game in 2014, to be announced. Fans that have bought tickets for the match can apply for a full refund.

"Fans who do not wish to attend may also keep their ticket and exchange it for the rescheduled match, again for a reduced price of £3.

"I'm really sorry I can't play I'm gutted."

Tomlinson picked up the knee injury when he was taking part in the charity match which was raising money for the Stiliyan Petrov Foundation among other Leukaemia research charities.

The singer gingerly got back to his feet before being substituted, where he proceeded to vomit on the sidelines.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert had said that there was “nothing” in the tackle and had defended his star striker Agbonlahor, claiming that Tomlinson had been taken “out of his comfort zone” in the match.

However, Agbonlahor apologised soon afterwards after receiving death threats and abused aimed at him on the social media website from “Directioners”, the nickname given to the fans of the band.