Republic of Ireland attacker Sammie Szmodics has thanked fans for their support after being discharged from hospital in Prague.
The Derby County loanee spent Thursday night in hospital after suffering a nasty head injury in Ireland's World Cup play-off defeat to Czechia, following a collision with defender Stephan Chaloupek.
Szmodics was briefly knocked unconscious from the clash, and received treatment on the pitch for close to five minutes before being stretchered off.
"Sammie Szmodics was transferred to hospital yesterday having sustained a head injury during extra time of the play-off against Czechia," the FAI confirmed this morning.
"Following further tests and a period of observation, he has been safely discharged from hospital - and will continue his recovery under the care of the Republic of Ireland and Derby County medical teams."
The 30-year-old had only been on the pitch for a matter of seconds before his collision with Chaloupek, having been brought on in anticipation of a penalty shootout, with head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson confirming afterwards that he would have been marked down as a potential penalty taker.
Ireland's World Cup dream came to an end after a shootout defeat, with Finn Azaz and Alan Browne missing from the spot following a 2-2 draw with the hosts after extra-time.
"Gutted the way it ended," Szmodics said this morning, in a post on X.
"Fans and boys immense all evening!! Appreciate everyone's messages. And thank you to the medical staff who acted so quickly to help me. On the mend."
