Rugby Town centre-half Elliot Palmer spent two days in the Critical Care Unit at the Coventry Walsgrave University Hospital after he suffered a freak injury during last Saturday’s FA Trophy tie at Bedworth – which the two sides drew 3-3.
The 21 year old Palmer suffered three broken ribs after he had collided with his own keeper Louis Connor just before half-time of the game, and then experienced internal bleeding on his liver and kidney, as he was rushed off to hospital for critical care.
Fortunately he has subsequently been transferred to a standard ward for further observation, with his family reporting on Monday that he was in good spirits despite the traumatic incident.
The ex-Coventry United player only signed for the Valley at the end of September, and the weekend’s match was just his third appearance in a Town shirt.
Club Director Neil Melvin reflected on the incident: “It initially looked like a fairly innocuous collision between Elliot and Louis after they both went for the same ball, but it was soon very clear that Elliot was in severe pain.
“Fortunately the ambulance quickly got him to the hospital, and it appears since then he is recovering steadily.
“Gary Moran (Town’s manager) managed to get in to see him on the Saturday evening and whilst still in some pain, he was reasonably comfortable and was talking about the clash and the game.
“These kind of things put football in perspective, and we wish him well in what will hopefully be a speedy return to the game.”
The defender has also received numerous messages wishing him well on social media channels and there was a collection around the ground for him during half-time of Tuesday evening’s replay at Butlin Road, which the visitors won by two goals to nil.
