Cardiff City striker Yousef Salech sustained a concerning neck injury during his side's 1-1 League One encounter with Stockport County at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.
The Danish forward was removed from the pitch on a stretcher whilst wearing a neck brace and receiving oxygen following a mid-air collision with County defender Brad Hills.
Medical staff attended to the 24-year-old for an extended period as worried players from both teams gathered around him on the turf.
Stockport's players offered their support as Salech was wheeled away, departing to applause from the home crowd.
The Cardiff star suffered a concerning neck injury
|PA
The incident occurred in the 27th minute near the centre circle when both players contested a header.
Hills won the aerial duel but his knee struck the Cardiff forward in the back and neck region, leaving Salech prone on the ground.
Play was immediately stopped and multiple medical personnel rushed onto the pitch to treat the stricken striker.
The lengthy stoppage lasted more than 12 minutes as medics worked to stabilise Salech before he could be safely transported from the field.
It appeared the Dane suffered a significant blow to his head and landed awkwardly following the challenge.
Yousef Salech was treated to for 12 minutes by medics
|PA
Stockport had seized the advantage in the 10th minute when Kyle Wootton capitalised on a rebound after Cardiff goalkeeper Nathan Trott parried Josh Dacres-Cogley's initial strike.
Following the extended delay for Salech's treatment, the Bluebirds responded in the substantial first-half stoppage time.
Joel Colwill struck powerfully from inside the penalty area, with his effort taking a deflection before finding the net in the seventh minute of 14 added on.
The second period proved scrappy as heavy rain and swirling wind hampered both sides. Cian Ashford and Callum Robinson both went close late on, with Hinchliffe denying Robinson in the 88th minute.
The draw ended Cardiff's run of eight consecutive home victories.
Salech has been in outstanding form this campaign, netting 12 times in the league since arriving from Swedish side IK Sirius in 2024.
The forward committed his future to the Welsh club just days ago by penning a one-year contract extension.
Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy recently praised his striker's ambition and work ethic.
"He's a very confident guy, and he backs that up with how hard he's working every single day to improve, because he knows he needs to improve," the boss said.
"He'll have designs on playing at the very highest level of European or English football."
Despite the setback, the Bluebirds remain four points clear atop League One, extending their advantage over third-placed Bradford City to 10 points.