Former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin was taken to hospital with a suspected broken eye socket following a clash of heads during a Ligue 2 match in France.
The 35-year-old was making just his second appearance for Laval on Friday night when he collided in the early stages with Wilitty Younoussa, who was making his debut for Nantes.
Medical staff were called onto the pitch to attend to the players, with both Coquelin and Younoussa ultimately forced to leave the field on stretchers.
Reports in France stated that Coquelin was conscious as he was transported to hospital, where he underwent a scan amid concerns over a broken eye socket.
French journalist Raphael Faurie-Pacaud reported on the midfielder's condition following the collision at Le Basser.
"After his heavy collision with Younoussa, Coquelin was taken to the hospital but conscious," Faurie-Pacaud wrote. He added there was a "suspicion of an orbital floor fracture for the player who was making his first appearance with the Tango at Le Basser" and warned that "he could be sidelined from the field for several months."
Serious injury fears
Laval head coach David Vignes confirmed post-match that he believes the injury was "pretty serious" and would rule Coquelin out for the foreseeable future.
Despite losing their midfielder early in the contest, Laval earned a 2-1 victory in the Ligue 2 match following a stoppage time winner.
Return to starting club
Coquelin rejoined Laval in the summer, returning to the team where he began his football career. The 35-year-old was part of the youth set-up at Laval before being signed to Arsenal's academy.
He went on to play 160 times for Arsenal and won the FA Cup twice, while also completing loan spells at Lorient, Freiburg and Charlton.
After leaving Arsenal, Coquelin spent three years at Spanish side Valencia before a four-year spell at Villarreal, where he was part of their Europa League winning team in 2020-21.
He spent the last two seasons at Nantes and was facing his former side on Friday for the first time when his injury occurred.
