STOKE defender Ben Wilmot was stretchered off receiving oxygen following a serious head injury.
The 23-year-old went down on 36 minutes after a coming together while challenging for a bouncing ball with a West Brom player.
He was treated on the pitch for several minute and then placed on a stretcher by the medical team with his face in a breathing mask as his concerned Stoke team-mates watched on.
Wilmot was replaced at centre-back by 40-year-old veteran Phil Jagielka.
It is understood Wilmot was transported straight into an ambulance in the bet365 Stadium car park.
Stoke tweeted: “After a lengthy stoppage Wilmot leaves the field on a stretcher. Get well soon Wilmo ❤️ Jagielka replaces him.”
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West Brom added: “Ben Wilmot can’t continue and is stretchered off. Wishing you well, Ben.”
Potters fans took to social media to send their messages of support.
One said: “Ben Wilmot my heart is broken 💔 all the best.”
Another wrote: “That was a big miss by the referee there that was at least a yellow for the Albion lad. Ben Wilmot in all sorts of trouble, hopefully just concussion.”
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A third added: “Not looking good for him 😥”
And a final user commented: “Get well soon Ben!”
Wilmot came through the youth ranks at hometown club Stevenage and was picked up by Watford in 2018 despite interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham.
After two Premier League appearances, he had loans at Udinese and Swansea before returning to Vicarage Road in 2020.
But with 33 Hornets matches under his belt, he joined Stoke in 2021 and has been a mainstay in the side ever since, proving a key player and fan favourite.
There were 11 minutes of injury time added to the end of the first half in the mid-table Championship match.
Deep into that first-half stoppage time, West Brom striker Daryl Dike also got injured and had to be taken off on a stretcher, too.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
