Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck recovering in hospital after collapsing at Reading
It happened during the second-half of the Blades' Championship fixture in Berkshire
Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck was taken off on a stretcher after a serious-looking incident in the second half of the Championship game at Reading.
With United leading 1-0, Fleck went down apparently unchallenged and his team-mates quickly indicated for the medics to run on the pitch to tend to him.
The 30-year-old received "urgent medical care", the Blades said on their official Twitter account, before, after a 10-minute delay, he was taken off on a stretcher and out of the ground to a waiting ambulance.
The Royal Berkshire Hospital is a short distance from the SCL Stadium.
The club confirmed after the final whistle that Fleck was conscious when he left the stadium.
Manager Slavisa Jokanovic was quoted as saying on the United Twitter account: "He is in hospital, he is conscious and he asked for the result. Hopefully he we will be okay. He is safe, in good hands and we pray that everything will be okay."
After the match, Royals boss Veljko Paunovic said:
“The experience we all had today was dramatic and horrible.”
“I’m happy that it seems he is ok and I hope John will return as soon as possible, in good shape and return to his normal life and his football career.
“It was a moment of struggle and uncertainty on the field. For him this will have been especially hard. We wish and his family support.
“It really affected everyone in the stadium, the fans, the players – which is normal. We are all human beings. And this is beyond football, the game we all love. This was a serious moment in our lives, especially his.
“Thank God that everyone reacted quickly and properly and that he is stable. We send him the best regards and our support and wish him a quick recovery.”