SHOCKING: Midfielder collapses during Championship match

Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck became the latest player to suffer an unconscious episode after he collapsed on the field of play during his side's Championship match against Reading on Tuesday. The Scottish international fell to the turf in the second half without any challenge and was swiftly attended to by the club's medical personnel. 

Fleck was given emergency medical care on the pitch before being stretchered off and taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in an ambulance. Whilst the 30-year-old was taken to the hospital, Sheffield United sent out an update on their official Twitter page confirming that the player was conscious before leaving the stadium.

"Concerning moments as urgent medical attention needed for John Fleck. Play is yet to restart but the Scottish midfielder is on his feet and receiving further medical care," the club said on Twitter.

"Fleck leaves the field on a stretcher after receiving urgent medical care. Our thoughts are with you, Flecky!"

The Blades continued with the match, grinding out a 1-0 victory despite apparent concern for the player who has been with the club since 2016. 

The club provided the following update on Twitter after the match: "3 points for the Blades. More importantly, John Fleck was conscious when he left the stadium via the ambulance gate. We’ll provide supporters with a further update once known. Get well soon, John."

Sheffield boss Slavisa Jokanovic reiterated that the player seems to be better after regaining consciousness and also asked for the result of the game against Reading. 

"He is in hospital, he is conscious and he asked for the result. Hopefully he will be okay. He is safe, in good hands and we pray that everything will be okay," the manager told the media.

Fleck is the latest in a long line of football players to have collapsed on the pitch recently, including Barcelona forward Sergio Aguero. Denmark's Christian Eriksen is another high-profile occurrence of such when the Inter Milan midfielder suffered cardiac arrest during an Euro 2020 group stage match against Finland. Eriksen was given immediate CPR on the pitch before he was taken to the hospital. He has yet to return to playing football after he was outfitted with a defibrillator.