Clarke Carlisle hospitalised: Former defender 'very poorly but alive and stable', confirms his wife Gemma

Carlisle was airlifted to hospital on Monday morning after a collision with a lorry on the A64 near York

Clarke Carlisle has been hit by a lorry (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Former Leeds, Burnley and Queens Park Rangers defender Clarke Carlisle is "very poorly but alive and stable" after being hit by a lorry on Monday morning, his wife Gemma has confirmed.

Carlisle, 35, was hit by a lorry on the A64 near the village of Bishopthorpe not far from York at 07:30am on Monday. While his condition has originally described as "critical", it was soon confirmed that his injuries are "not life-threatening".

Posting on her Twitter account on Tuesday afternoon, Gemma Carlisle said: "Clarke's very poorly but he's alive and stable. Best Christmas gift we as a family could wish for. Thanks again."

The reason for the accident remains unclear, however a police spokeswoman confirmed they were "pursuing all avenues".

A police statement read: "The collision involved a male pedestrian and a lorry.

"The injured man has been airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary with serious injuries.

"The road was closed to allow the air ambulance to land and to allow collision investigators to examine the scene."

Clarke Carlisle playing for Northampton Town in 2013 (Pete Norton/Getty Images)

A PFA statement read: "Everyone is keeping Clarke in their prayers and thoughts. We are offering our full help and support to him and his family."

Carlisle launched his 16-year career at Blackpool in 1997, aged 18. Carlisle went on to make over 500 appearances for nine clubs.

He announced his retirement from professional football in May 2013, ending his career at Northampton.

Carlisle was the first footballer to appear on Channel 4's words and numbers game Countdown, and is widely regarded as one of the smartest men to have played football given his 10 Grade A GCSE’s and move to the PFA as chairman in 2010 to campaign relentlessly for inclusion and equality,

Following his retirement last year, he has regularly appeared on ITV as a pundit, including at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

He is also a leading ambassador for anti-discrimination group Kick It Out, and presented a TV documentary about racism in the game and another - Football's Suicide Secret - about mental health issues among his fellow professionals.

Burnley, QPR and The FA were among organisations to have tweeted well-wishes to Carlisle and his family.

The Kick It Out anti-racism campaign posted: "The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Kick It Out are with Clarke Carlisle and his family. Stay strong our dear friend - keep on fighting.

Former player and media pundit Kevin Kilbane posted: "Shocked to hear the news on Clarke Carlisle. I pray for him and his family. Hope he pulls through."

Burnley fan and former Downing Street communications chief Alastair Campbell Tweeted: "Really hoping clarkecarlisle going be ok. Thoughts with Gemma/two lovely kids. A great BurnleyOfficial man and mental health campaigner."

Police have appealed for witnesses to the collision. Part of the road was closed for a number of hours while investigations took place.