What happened to John Fleck? Sheffield United footballer collapses on pitch during Reading match - latest news

John Fleck, the Sheffield United midfielder, has now been released from hospital after he collapsed on the pitch in their game against Reading last night (Tuesday 23 November 2021).

The 30-year-old Glaswegian collapsed early on in the second half of the fixture and proceeded to receive treatment on the pitch before being taken off.

Fleck fell to the ground, unchallenged, and his teammates soon waved to the medical staff.

Sheffield United’s fixture against Reading was stopped for more than 10 minutes before the Scotland International was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

After comprehensive medical examinations, Fleck has been allowed to return home and United medical staff will continue to watch him.

Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic told BBC Radio Sheffield “Fleck is conscious, in the hospital, he’s in good health. He will be OK.”

His collapse happened just shortly after his teammate, Jayden Bogle, scored the only goal of the match in the 57th minute.

Jokanovic continued his interview saying “I didn’t see exactly what happened. One moment he fell down. It was a really complicated situation. He is conscious in hospital and he asked for the result. We hope everything will be ok with him.

“It’s not easy for the players to focus on the moment after. Fortunately, the team is fighting well and we aren’t scared of our weaknesses. We were fighting for the three points.”

Fleck was immediately attended to by both teams’ medics as well as the stadium’s on-duty paramedics and before being stretchered off the pitch, he was seen standing up wearing an oxygen mask to which he received applause from all round the ground.

The Blades were able to fight on to their one-nil lead despite the 13 minutes of extra time added at the end and secured their first win in five games.

Fleck’s teammate and the match goalscorer Bogle spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield saying “It’s horrible whenever something like that happens on the pitch. The main thing tonight is that he’s OK and that he’s stable.

“It happens so quickly. You don’t expect it, you expect to play a normal football match. You don’t really think about those things going into games.”

Fleck first started playing for Sheffield United in 2016 following his youth and early career at Rangers as well as stints at Blackpool and Coventry City.

The midfielder has 14 goals in his 207 appearances for Sheffield United and has also made five appearances for Scotland.

Sheffield United are currently sitting 16th in the Championship, six points clear of Reading and eight off the Relegation Zone and will play their next match on Sunday 28 November 2021 against Bristol City at Bramall Lane.

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