Tom Bender has been given the all-clear following a brain scan after he was knocked out during Accrington Stanley’s abandoned Johnstone’s Paint Trophy match with Tranmere Rovers.
Bender, who came through the Apprenticeship programme at Colchester Utd, is on a season long-loan at Stanley.
The Wales U21 international was knocked unconscious in the 38th minute of the game after colliding with his own goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin, who was attempting to clear a ball in to the box.
The 18-year-old needed half an hour of treatment on the pitch, including oxygen and a drip, before the ambulance took him to Blackburn Hospital, where he is in a stable condition with concussion.
“Tom is now fully conscious,” Stanley chief executive Rob Heys told Sky Sports News.
“He has been for a scan which has come back as normal.”
“He is severely concussed but he’s stable and that’s great news.”
Accrington manager John Coleman earlier said: “Their striker was trying to get the ball. He was eager and it led to Tom’s momentum going onto a full-blooded punch from Bavs.”
“It was like double the force and the fact Tom didn’t move when he hit the floor is a concern. The lads immediately knew something was wrong and waved the physio over straight away.”
“The physio admitted it was scary. They didn’t want to move Tom and we just had to wait for the ambulance to arrive, which obviously took some time.”
“His dad was here watching and he has gone to hospital with Tom so he is close at hand.”
“He is now in the safest hands and we’ve just got to hope and pray everything is OK.”
Coleman admitted nothing like this had happened to him in his 14 years of football management.
He said: “I feel sick and am obviously concerned for the lad and his family but his vital signs, we are led to believe, are OK.”
“Hopefully he will make a recovery. He hadn’t come round but his breathing was stable.”
Tranmere boss Les Parry added: “It’s a game of football and when someone’s health is involved that’s got to take precedence.”
Stanley were trailing 2-1 when play was halted. A Zoumana Bakayogo own goal had given them a ninth minute lead but Tranmere hit back through Ash Taylor (20) and Mustafa Tirkyaka (35).
