Colchester United defender Tom Bender is said to be suffering from "severe concussion" following his head injury playing on loan for Accrington Stanley against Tranmere Rovers tonight.

But doctors are said to be "happy" with the scans the 18-year-old has undergone.

Bender was injured in an accidental collision with Stanley goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin and Tranmere's Lucas Akin and was treated on the pitch for more than 25 minutes, before being taken away in an ambulance.

The Johnstone's Paint Trophy match was later abanonded.

Bender was put on a drip but officials said that he was showing signs of recovery, on his way to hospital.

He will be kept in hospital overnight and doctors will reassess him tomorrow morning.

For more on this story, see the Gazette.