West Ham defender Daniel Potts to undergo further tests

West Ham defender Daniel Potts will remain in hospital today for further tests after suffering a head injury during last night's 5-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at Arsenal, the Hammers confirmed this morning.

The 18-year-old, who had a loan spell at Colchester earlier this season, fell to the ground after jumping in a challenge with Gunners defender Bacary Sagna with 18 minutes left.

It appeared the youngster, on as a substitute, hit his head on the pitch, and was momentarily knocked out.

Potts received lengthy treatment from medical staff, eventually being taken from the field on a stretcher, in a neck brace, receiving gas and covered in an emergency blanket before being transferred to a nearby hospital for observation.

West Ham confirmed the defender would be receiving more attention to aid his recovery.

A statement on the club's official Twitter feed read: "West Ham United can confirm that Dan Potts will undergo scans and further assessment in hospital on Thursday.

"On behalf of Dan, the club would like to thank fans for all their messages of support for the defender and join them in wishing him well."

Irons boss Sam Allardyce last night stressed the utmost care had to be taken because of the nature of the injury.

Speaking after the match, Allardyce said: "Potts was unable to give the correct answers to the questions the doctor asked, which shows a concussion to the brain.

"They put him on the oxygen and strapped him, just to make sure there was no damage to the spine or the neck.

"He was out for a few seconds, maybe a minute, and was not fully conscious when he came off.

"We were concerned at how long it took. They have to make sure they protect the spine the right way, getting them on the stretcher - that is why it took the time it did.

"Hopefully he will make a speedy recovery. As he lost consciousness it is a minimum of two weeks, I think, before he can play again."

New day (slowly) rising – As Brasileirão gets underway, Brazilian football stumbles, rather than leaps into the future

The average Serie A crowd last year was 13,000 - comparable to Australia’s A-League.

by James Young

24 May 2013 04:31 PM

iBet: Mercedes and Hamilton to roar in Monaco

Monaco is a street circuit where driver ability is more important than anywhere else and if we take ...

by Gareth Purnell

24 May 2013 02:00 AM

On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: It sounds sadistic, but the team live for the mountain stages

Three weeks ago as I drove off the Eurostar, I remember thinking what a very long time it was until ...

by Martin Ayres

23 May 2013 05:29 PM

Most Viewed
Most Shared
Most Commented

Get your summer started with British Military Fitness

BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes

Visit York Nook Get reading

Prizes & offers Business videos

Visit York

Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world

Military Fitness Nook Get reading

Prizes & offers Business videos

Making reading fun for kids

Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.

Military Fitness Visit York Get reading

Prizes & offers Business videos

Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign

Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.

Military Fitness Visit York Nook

Prizes & offers Business videos

Enter the latest Independent competitions

Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.

Military Fitness Visit York Nook

Get reading Business videos

Business videos from commercial thought leaders

Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.

Military Fitness Visit York Nook

Get reading Prizes & offers

Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions

He's worked with Modest Mouse, the Pet Shop Boys and Beck, to name a few, and recently released his first solo album. So why, wonders Johnny Marr, do people still hark on about The Smiths?

In pictures: After the flood

From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands

Death becomes her: Meet the very modern mortician who champions 'cool' funerals

Death becomes her: A very modern mortician

Ever considered baking a loved one's remains into a cake or putting their ashes in fireworks? If so, talk to Caitlin Doughty, champion of the alternative death industry.