Birmingham City issue an important update after Neil Etheridge gets knocked out cold in a sickening collision on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues goalkeeper had to be taken off on a stretcher during the Championship match with Nottingham Forest as he raced out of his goal to deal with the onrushing opponent.
he was looking to latch onto the ball as it approached the Birmingham area, however the pair collided and Etheridge appeared to take a heavy knock to the head and play was halted for 10 minutes as he was treated by medics.
Etheridge looks like he’s out. Doesn’t look great for him #bcfc #KRO
Trueman will be coming on pic.twitter.com/TlvF5AwMkd
— #BSHLOUT (@Ohffs1984) April 9, 2022
Birmingham’s medical team were immediately called onto the field to treat the 32 year old and after the lengthy stoppage, he was taken off and replaced by Connal Trueman.
Etheridge was applauded by all four sides at the City Ground just after the hour mark, with Forest leading 1-0 thanks to Keinan Davis’ brilliant finish from a tight angle after just five minutes. Scott McKenna added a late goal to seal a 2-0 win for the hosts.
Birmingham manager Lee Bowyer confirmed after the game that Etheridge was taken to hospital with concussion and that he was in a stable condition.
“It was a collision between two players going at full speed. He came off with concussion, he was out cold the whole time he was being treated and he’s now been taken to hospital. We’re waiting to hear some good news,” he said (via BirminghamLive ).
“Part of Spence’s body connected with Neil’s head and it meant he was out cold. It was just a coming together between two committed players going for the ball.
“There was no malicious intent in it at all. It’s just one of those where two players have come together and they happen from time to time.”
He added: “The worrying thing for me was that at one point he wasn’t moving at all. There was no movement, a lot of arms being waved around so it was quite worrying.
“He’s in the hospital now though. I’m hoping he has come around now – I’ve not heard yet – but we’re waiting for some good news.”
Neil Etheridge said on Sunday that he “appreciated” the kind words sent to him as he recovers from being knocked unconscious.
The keeper posted on his Instagram account, saying: “Thank you all for the get well messages yesterday. I really appreciated them.”
Birmingham’s latest statement: “Following a collision with Nottingham Forest defender Djed Spence in the 60th minute of Saturday’s fixture, Blues ‘keeper Neil Etheridge was knocked unconscious and required immediate medical attention on the field of play.
“After a swift response from the medical personnel at the City Ground, Etheridge was stabilised before being transferred to the Queen’s Medical Centre to undergo further assessment.
“Thankfully, CT scans revealed no injury to the bones in the head but considerable swelling to the right side of the face which took the full force of the impact.
“Following close consultation with the Club’s medical staff, he was cleared to return home late on Saturday evening.
“The Club will follow the FA’s concussion protocol over the coming days whilst continually monitoring Etheridge’s condition to ensure his safe return to action.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to the staff at the City Ground and the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham for their quick and effective response to what was an extremely concerning situation.”
Twitter users reacted as Birmingham issue an important update after Neil Etheridge was knocked out cold in the sickening collision…
@Twheatman: Glad to see he’s ok. A brave challenge! 😳
@T_oxland276: Fair play to all the medical staff at the city ground and the staff at Nottingham queens hospital 👏 I know they’re a great hospital because I was born there haha! Lovely place 💙 Speedy recovery Ethers 💪 #bcfc #nffc #kro
@LordFoxworth: Forest supporter here, really pleased to read removing well, it was a horrific clash. QMC staff are excellent so would have been in good hands. Not many keepers get concussion that far out of goal!
@Rob5hep: I was sat in lower Brian Clough right where it happened and knew straight away there was a big issue, was a horrendous collision. Great job from the medical staff, and glad to hear he’s ok
@sheshe715: Thank goodness, Sending u lots of best wishes for a speedy recovery ⚽️⚽️
@susansusyb: That was really frightening, hope he is feeling a little better today & continues to improve. KRO x
@jg_191919: Wishing a speedy recovery ethers kro 💙
@Nickyt1974: Great news. The collision happened just in front of us. Not nice to see but hopefully he is soon back between the sticks for you
@dazzler__95: Glad to see it’s not too bad… looked horrific at the time. Here’s to a speedy recovery.
@shane_dean88: Great news. No malice from Spence just a very unfortunate incident.
@notts_1862: Saw from other side of the ground that he wasn’t moving, it still didn’t stop Forest fans booing and wanting him sent off.
@anglingking: Pleased it’s nothing more serious, hate to see any player in that state on the pitch. Well done to all the medical staff involved 👏
@gras_1964: Get well soon. That was a nasty clash and he was out for a while. All the best with your remaining games blues.
@ballo2k: Feared the worse on that one, glad he’s alright!
@ClaireNffc_xo: Glad he’s okay! At first I genuinely was raging that he took Djed out and was one of many asking for a red card. After watching the replays though it’s apparent he did nothing wrong. Speedy recovery

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