On the mend and joking in hospital!

The 31-striker-old forward was sitting up in bed in hospital and well enough to tweet his thanks via Twitter as well in an official statement from South Shields after taking an accidental knee to the head from Hyde United keeper Peter Crook in the seventh minute of the 3-0 victory that kept the leaders a point clear of Scarborough Athletic at the top of EVO-STIK League North table.

After eight minutes of treatment on the pitch at Mariners Park by physio Andrew Morris with the aid of his Tigers counterpart Stefanie Todd, Finnigan sat up and was stretchered off to huge applause from the 1,751 crowd filling all four corners of the ground before being taken to hospital by ambulance after the match for further treatment and checks including a brain scan.

Using their Twitte account @SouthShieldsFC, Shields tweeted: "A message from @carlfinnigan, who is now recovering at home: "A huge thanks to @Andymorris74 and all the other medical staff who treated me today. It was a scary time but thankfully I was in great hands. I hugely appreciate all the kind messages and hope to be back soon!"

Finnigan, who kicked off his career with Jarrow and Newcastle United before playing in Scotland for Falkirk, St Johnstone and Dundee and also in South Africa and Botswana, will be unable to play or train for the leaders for 14 days in line with minimum Football Association guidelines on head injuries.

Despite the set-back, he could still manage a joke before his release from hospital, using his account to tweet: "Conscious & tongue pulled out of my throat. thanks to top man @Andymorris74. Thanks so much for the messages... waiting at hospital for a brain scan... I think only to see if there’s one in there ? Buzzing the lads got job done.... best substitution ever made?"

The physios and medical teams were hailed on social media after the emotional scenes, @dixongenuous tweeting: "Great work at @SouthShieldsFC @Andymorris74 ... Physios and other medical and support staff aren't nearly as appreciated as you should be. Heros!"

Morris told the club's website: “Carl was unconscious for about one and a half minutes and had swallowed his tongue. We had to rectify that situation first, and then fortunately I received assistance from Hyde’s physio and others while I was holding his airway open.

“Hyde’s physio supported Carl’s neck, because we couldn’t rule out a neck injury at that stage, and we got him into the recovery position. Carl came round, started communicating and opened his eyes, and we were then able to stretcher him off.

“He was later in and out of conciousness in the treatment room, and he now just needs to be checked over at hospital as he’s suffering from some short-term memory loss. He can’t remember anything after 2pm on Saturday."

He added: “When he was leaving the ground, he was talking and alert, and hopefully I’ll be able to get an update from him later. I’m sure everyone will join me in wishing him a speedy recovery.”

Images courtesy of Peter Talbot/@SouthShieldsFC/@KevWilson19/Twitter

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