CARDIFF CITY and Stockport County’s League One clash was delayed for 12 minutes after a bad injury to Bluebirds striker Yousef Salech.
The away side, Stockport, were leading the top of the table clash 1-0 when things got worse for Cardiff in the first half.
The treatment delayed the game by over 12 minutes following a collision in the air with Stockport centre back Brad Hills within the centre circle.
The result saw Salech leave the field on oxygen as he was wheeled off by medics.
Hills had won the header that they were dualling for but his knee had caught the Cardiff striker in the back and neck area and was left prone on the floor before play was stopped for a free kick in the 26th minute.
Eventually, after 12 minutes of treatment, they were able to get him off the pitch and play resumed.
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Even Stockport players crowded around Salech in worry and gave their best wishes as he departed the pitch.
It appears as though the Dane took a bad blow to the head and landed horribly after the clash.
It later emerged that he had injured his neck.
Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy said: “It’s been coming. We’ve seen for months that he hasn’t been protected by the referees.
“Yousef’s in hospital having a scan on his neck as a precaution and we’re just awaiting the results of that.
“It definitely wasn’t nice viewing, but we’re very hopeful [it’s not serious].
“It’s very difficult when you have such a serious injury to someone who’s so close to all the players.
“It’s difficult to compose yourself and to focus on the game. So really considering those circumstances the players faced, I was over the moon [with how Cardiff played] and my own focus to be honest was a little bit distracted.”
The 24-year-old has scored 12 goals this season and has been a hit since his move from IK Sirius in 2024.
He also only signed a one-year extention for the Welsh club earlier this week.
Cardiff are four points clear at the top of League One but Stockport are fourth in the table and firmly in the mix for promotion.
The home side have since equalised to make the score 1-1 and go in at half-time level.