Ryan Mason recovering after skull fracture ordeal
The 25-year-old former Tottenham midfielder was carried off and received oxygen after a clash of heads with Chelsea’s Gary Cahill in the first half of Hull’s 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge Sunday.
He underwent an operation at St Mary’s Hospital in London on Sunday evening and was visited by club captain Michael Dawson and three club officials yesterday.
City said Mason would remain in hospital “over the coming days”.
Mason’s family has thanked well-wishers for their support following a “traumatic 24 hours”. “We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks and gratitude for the overwhelming support shown to Ryan during what has been an extremely traumatic 24 hours,” the family statement read.
The on-field treatment of Mason was described as “exemplary” by brain injury charity Headway, which has been critical of recent incidents of concussion in football.
Hull said in a statement: “Ryan has been visited this morning at St Mary’s Hospital by club captain Michael Dawson, club doctor Mark Waller, head of medical Rob Price and club secretary Matt Wild.
“Ryan has been speaking of the incident yesterday and will continue to be monitored at the hospital over the coming days where the club will remain in close contact with Ryan, his family and the staff at St Mary’s.”
Mason received treatment for around nine minutes on the field and has been the subject of messages of support from many of his fellow professionals, his former club Spurs and the FA.
Cahill, Chelsea club captain John Terry, and assistant boss Steve Holland went to St Mary’s Hospital on Sunday evening to check on Mason’s well-being. It is understoodthe trio spent time with members of Mason’s family who had attended the game, which was marred by the incident in the 14th minute.
Hull added in their statement: “Ryan and his family have also been extremely touched by the overwhelming support they received and would very much like to thank all of those who have posted such positive comments both on social media and in the press over the last 24 hours.”
Brain injury charity Headway praised the treatment of England international Mason.
Headway chief executive Peter McCabe said: “I was actually at the match and, while it was upsetting to witness the incident, it was encouraging to see the exemplary reaction of the medical teams.
“Headway has been critical of the way in which head injuries have been treated in many high-profile football incidents in recent years, but it is positive to see that lessons appear to have been learned.”
The FA has not been made aware of any issues in the way the incident was handled and has contacted Hull to offer its support to Mason. Professional Footballers’ Association deputy chief executive John Bramhall told Press Association Sport: “There’s been a lot of work done over the past few years to raise awareness of head injuries, concussions and the importance to treat them with the utmost urgency.
“That was a good example of the level or standard you’d hope to expect.”
England defender Cahill had been assessed for some time during the break in play as Mason was attended to.
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte revealed Cahill’s half-time condition “wasn’t really good”, but he was deemed fit to continue after being reassessed by club medics. Cahill completed the match, scoring Chelsea’s second goal 10 minutes from time.
Meanwhile Diego Costa is “perfect” for Chelsea, according to team-mate Pedro. A reported bust-up with Antonio Conte and his staff, as well as speculation over a move to the Chinese Super League, had little impact on Costa in Sunday’s win over Hull, as the 28-year-old striker scored his 52nd goal on his 100th appearance.
Former Barcelona forward Pedro said: “He is perfect for this team. I have played with important people, important players like (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic (at Barcelona). But Costa is a very good striker too, a very good runner, strong physically and scores more goals for the team.”
