Wednesday 5 October 2011 11:21, UK
Accrington's on-loan Colchester defender Tom Bender is comfortable in hospital after suffering a serious head injury on Tuesday night.
The 18-year-old Wales Under-21 international suffered the injury in the abandoned Johnstone's Paint Trophy match against Tranmere at the Crown Ground. Bender was given the all-clear following a brain scan after suffering severe concussion when he collided with team-mate Ian Dunbavin as the goalkeeper came out to clear a ball into the box in the 38th minute. He was knocked out and needed half an hour of treatment on the pitch, including oxygen and a drip, before the ambulance took him to hospital for a scan on his head. A spokesman for Blackburn Hospital, where he remained overnight, said on Wednesday morning: "Mr Bender is comfortable and waiting to see the medic for assessment." The match was halted after the incident, with Tranmere 2-1 up at the time. Stanley chief executive Rob Heys visited the player in hospital on Tuesday night and on Wednesday morning said: "He regained consciousness last night and was in a stable condition. He was in good spirits when I left. "He's had a bang on the head so they'll take the necessary precautions and we'd expect to know more later on today." Bender joined Accrington last month on a season-long loan deal and made his debut as a substitute against Barnet, on September 3. His first career start came in a 3-2 defeat of Carlisle in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy the following day. He has also represented Wales at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level - coming on as a substitute in the latter's match against Hungary last month.
