Fleck taken to hospital after collapsing
Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck was taken to hospital last night after collapsing on the pitch in an incident which overshadowed his team’s 1-0 Championship win at Reading.
Fleck was carried off the Madejski Stadium pitch on a stretcher after requiring urgent medical attention when he went down unchallenged during the second half of last night’s match.
Team-mates and Reading players were seen to be visibly distressed as they called for medics to tend to him. The Scottish international, 30, was taken to a waiting ambulance which then transported him to Royal Berkshire Hospital.
The match was delayed for 10 minutes before play resumed.
Sheffield United later confirmed Fleck was conscious as he left the stadium. Manager Slavisa Jokanovic said the player had even asked about the result from the hospital.
Jokanovic said: “He is in hospital, he is conscious and he asked for the result. Hopefully, he will be OK. He is safe, in good hands and we pray that everything will be OK.
“Everything was quick, both benches. We hope all of us, everything will be OK with him.”
Sheffield United fan and Labour MP Toby Perkins tweeted: “Hearing John Fleck had collapsed tonight sends a shiver down the spine. Hope he makes a full recovery. #sufc” United were leading thanks to a close-range goal from Jayden Bogle in the 56th minute and held on to register their first victory in five matches.
Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion ended a run of four successive away defeats but gave up more ground in the automatic promotion race as they were held to a goalless draw at Blackpool.
West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone made a brilliant double stop to deny Gary Madine and Keshi Anderson while Matt Clarke came close to snatching a late winner for the visitors.
Chris Wilder is still waiting for his first win as Middlesbrough manager after Preston North End fought back to claim a 2-1 win at the Riverside Stadium.
Paddy Mcnair’s 33rd-minute header looked set to earn Wilder his first win after he made his debut in the dugout for Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Millwall.
But Ched Evans headed Preston’s equaliser from a corner in the 77th minute and four minutes later Emil Riis Jakobsen lashed home an unlikely winner after a woeful piece of Middlesbrough defending.
Birmingham City bounced back from two straight defeats by clinging on for a goalless draw at Coventry City despite having Ryan Woods sent off eight minutes from time for tripping Ian Maatsen.
Nottingham Forest also ended the night with 10 men after Jack Colback was sent off for two bookable offences in their goalless draw with
Luton Town at the City Ground.