West Ham defender Daniel Potts to undergo further tests

Potts suffered a head injury during last night's Premier League defeat at Arsenal

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."

PA

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

iBet: A tight game between Northampton and Bradford

A tight game could be in prospect here. Northampton have been keeping things very tight of late and ...

by Gareth Purnell

On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: Feeling ill and racing in the rain must be pretty grim

I can’t ever watch games of football or rugby without wistfully wondering what it must be like to be...

by Martin Ayres

PSG and the French league must be more proactive in dealing with hooliganism

Since PSG’s exit to Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League quarter-final in April, PSG have been sur...

by Matthew Riding

       

Day In a Page

The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in
The real thing? Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'

The real thing?

Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'
Gordon Ramsey's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

The pugnacious chef finally met a shambolic restaurant he couldn't save. John Walsh on when TV makover refuseniks fight back
Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Glamorous myth of the flight attendant lifestyle undermined by angry employee's claims of 'exploitation'
Braising saddles: Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it!

Braising saddles: How to cook horse meat

Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it! Will Coldwell hoofs it to the kitchen.
Why bitters are back on the bar: A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails

Why bitters are back on the bar

A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails. No wonder we're learning to love them again...
The 10 Best barbecues

The 10 Best barbecues

Whether you're cooking on gas or are a convert to charcoal we've got the perfect way to cook when the sun is out.
Style icon David Beckham calls time on his long retirement

Style icon calls time on his long retirement

David Beckham never disgraced himself but former England captain ceased to be a major player years ago. Remember him at his United peak
Steve Harper: My darkest times

Steve Harper: My darkest times

As the popular Newcastle goalkeeper bows out after 20 years at the club, he tells Martin Hardy about the private battle with depression that threatened his career
Sir Torquil Norman has designed a flat-pack OX truck for the developing world

The flat-pack truck with big ambitions

After making a fortune from Polly Pocket and a doll's house shaped like a teapot, the entrepreneur has turned his creativity to a transporter truck for the developing world. Simon Usborne meets him.