Tom Bender remembers little about the incident which left him with severe concussion, according to his father Lee.

The Colchester United defender, on loan at Accrington Stanley, was left unconscious after colliding with goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin and Tranmere Rovers’ Lucas Akins during the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second round northern section tie between the two sides.

Bender was treated for 30 minutes on the pitch and was given oxygen and put on a drip, before being taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The 18-year-old underwent a brain scan but was given the all-clear yesterday morning and was released from hospital.

Lee Bender said: “Tom’s okay. He’s in good spirits.

“He doesn’t remember too much about it but that’s nothing unusual!

“I’m just glad I was here really. I don’t think he knew much about it though.

“He certainly didn’t acknowledge me in the hospital!

“He recognised his team-mate Kurtis Guthrie more than me.

“It was just a comfort to me, my wife and my family that I was able to be with him.

“The medical care he got was absolutely superb.

“I’d like to thank everyone from Accrington and from Tranmere and the medical staff.

“We couldn’t have wished for any more.

“The players and management teams from both sides were great and everyone at Colchester’s been brilliant, too.

“It’s amazing that there’s so much interest.

“The void between Premier League and League Two seems so great but when something like this happens, there’s no barrier.

“They’re all in the same job and they’re all doing the same thing and they all feel for each other.”

For all of the latest Colchester United news, including Duguid's Diary, see Thursday's Gazette.