West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski stretchered off after being whacked in face in worrying scenes
WEST HAM star Lukasz Fabianski was stretchered off in worrying scenes after sustaining a head injury.
The 39-year-old goalkeeper collided with Southampton defender Nathan Wood's elbow and went down in severe pain.
Medics quickly rushed onto the pitch and Fabianski received treatment for seven minutes.
His concerned team-mates stood around him and his opposite number Aaron Ramsdale came up from his goal to check on him.
Fabianski was covered by a blanket and put into a neck brace as he left the field on a stretcher.
Both West Ham and Saints fans applauded as he was carried down the tunnel.
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Alphonse Areola came on to replace the 40-year-old Polish international.
Worried supporters shared their concern online, with one saying: "I hope Fabianski is okay. Looked nasty."
Another wrote: ";Wishing Fab a speedy recovery."
A third wrote: "Respect to Ramsdale checking on Fabianski."
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Amazon Prime TV cameras did not show any replays of the incident and cut away while the keeper was down hurt.
Fabianski was having a brilliant game at the time of his horror injury and had made three saves, including a sensational stop from a Paul Onuachu header.
It was the second substitute West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui had been forced into making in the first-half as Maximilian Kilman picked up a problem and went off for Jean-Clair Todibo.
The Hammers went on to win the game 1-0 thanks to a Jarrod Bowen goal.
After the game, Lopetegui gave an update on Fabianski, saying: “We were very worried about him.
“He had a big knock around the head and neck. He was not very sure about his actions.
“Fortunately he is conscious in the dressing room. I talked with him.
“The doctors say he feels better so I am positive about him.
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“He showed that more or less he had recovered his senses.
“We were afraid, but now he is better.”