Player Profile

Brought in after being released by Aston Villa ahead of the 2019/20 season, Australian midfielder Lyden’s Town career has been seriously restricted by injuries, but has looked bright when he’s been able to take the field.

Lyden made his debut in central midfield alongside Michael Doughty on the first day of the season and was a fixture in midfield until being injured at Leyton Orient in September - where he was replaced by new signing Anthony Grant. A combination of his own fitness and Grant’s exceptional form made it difficult for Lyden to string appearances together, although he also played alongside Doughty & Grant on occasions. Lyden scored his first Town goal at Northampton in February shortly before the suspension of the season.

As Town returned to League One for the 2020/21 season, Lyden’s injury record worsened, playing only 49 minutes before December. By the time he returned to fitness, Wellens had left for Salford and John Sheridan was occupying Town’s technical area. His first start since December came in the excellent televised victory over Ipswich in January, a rare bright spot in an otherwise dismal Town season.

As Town returned to League One for the 2020/21 season, Lyden’s injury record worsened, playing only 49 minutes before December. By the time he returned to fitness, Wellens had left for Salford and John Sheridan was occupying Town’s technical area. His first start since December came in the excellent televised victory over Ipswich in January, a rare bright spot in an otherwise dismal Town season - but though Lyden started every game that month, he succumbed to injury again in early February, and despite brief attempts to return in both March and April, he registered just eleven league starts over the campaign, the Town relegated in his absence.

Unfortunately for Lyden, the following season was even worse from an injury perspective - after breaking down in a pre-season game at Weymouth, it was October before he was seen in the squad - and his game time was managed over the next few months, as the Town backroom staff looked to ease him back into action. It was all to no avail though when the luckless Lyden suffered a ruptured Achilles against Exeter in February - an injury that would keep him out well into the following campaign - out of contract, he remained at the club over the pre-season and throughout his rehabilitation.

Playing Record

Senior

Career details

Club	Details
ECU Joondalup ECU Joondalup	(youth)
Aston Villa Aston Villa	2012 (youth scholarship) January 2016 (signed professional contract); released (rptd March 17th, 2019)
Oldham Athletic Oldham Athletic	August 31st, 2018 (loan); expired (January 1st, 2019)
Swindon Town Swindon	July 26th, 2019 (unattached); released (2022/3)
Leyton Orient Leyton Orient	October 20th, 2023 (unattached); released (rptd May 15th, 2023)
Hereford Hereford	September 15th, 2023 (unattached)