Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has provided a health update on Adam Smith after the defender suffered a head injury in the opening minutes of their clash against Aston Villa.
The Premier League veteran was forced to make an early exit after suffering a possible concussion when colliding with team-mate Tyler Adams.
Both players immediately hit the deck, forcing the referee to temporarily suspend the game.
The match was halted for several minutes as medical staff attended the scene.
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The Premier League veteran was forced to make an early exit after suffering a possible concussion when colliding with team-mate Tyle Adams
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Villa Park broke into applause when Adams and Smith both rose to their feet.
Cameras captured blood pouring from the Smith's head wound.
Following the game, Iraola said he hopes it is not something more serious.
Speaking to BBC MOTD, the Spaniard said: "It was a very hard knock, he was bleeding and I don't know if he lost consciousness, but he was not feeling well to continue."
Villa Park broke into applause when Adams and Smith both rose to their feet
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He added: "I feel more calm now because I talked to him and he's fine, he remembers everything.
"In the moment it was a hard knock and I hope it's not something more serious."
The full-back was given further assessment on the touchline, but medics deemed him unfit to continue, and he was replaced by Alex Jimenez in the 10th minute.
American international Adams, despite looking disoriented when getting back to his feet, was allowed to play on.
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Cameras captured blood pouring from the Smith's head wound
|GETTY
Speaking on the game more broadly, the Cherries boss said: "Everything has gone wrong from the beginning, we had the clash and had to make the change.
"It's not a reason to lose. I am worried about the first half. We were poor defensively, it's a warning from the league.
"Two difficult away games but we have not been at our level.
"Three goals from set plays. The first is an amazing goal from Emi Buendia. Three goals from set pieces is too much but it's not just this we have to focus on the things we can do."
Following the game, Iraola said he hopes it is not something more serious
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He continued: "We were pushing them a lot in the second half, more like us, but this first 45 minutes worry me a bit.
"We hit the post, had the penalty, clear chances to score at 2-1 and make the end of the game more nervous for them. But we didn't take them, you have to punish them and we didn't."
American Midfielder Adams has started all 11 Premier League games so far this season, proving himself as a regular under Andoni Iraola.
Smith has mostly been seen off the bench, as the ageing right-back still remains a vital part of the Bournemouth set-up.