LONDON - Leicester City defender Clive Clarke was in a stable condition in hospital after collapsing in the dressing room at halftime of their League Cup soccer match at Nottingham Forest today, City said.
Clarke was being kept in hospital overnight to monitor his progress, the club said
after the match had been abandoned.
Speaking before the later medical bulletin, City chief executive Tim Davies said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Clive and his family at this current time.
"He is on his way to hospital as we speak; he is not very well but at least he's talking - which he wasn't at one point.
"I'd like to thank Nottingham Forest, the referee for their prompt action in helping us to call off the match and I'd like to apologise to the fans - but I'm sure they will understand that this is a very difficult time for everyone."
City said "club officials from both sides agreed that the best course of action was to postpone the encounter".
The Irish left-back had joined second division Leicester on loan from premier league club Sunderland.
Davies said: "When Clive went into the dressing room at halftime, he just collapsed and was very seriously ill.
"Everyone was very shaken up and distressed as I'm sure you can imagine and (City manager) Martin Allen is trying to contact his family at the moment.
"We're not aware of any problems Clive had with Sunderland before he joined us but his medical records are a private matter."
Forest chief executive Mark Arthur said: "Football is secondary to human issues and once we found out the seriousness of Clive's situation we went straight to the referee and told him we would do whatever was right by Leicester.
"It was very quickly agreed among the three parties that the game should be abandoned."
Forest manager Colin Calderwood made the announcement on the pitch alongside City boss Allen.
Third division Forest were leading the second round game 1-0 after a strike by Junior Agogo.
- REUTERS
