Harrogate Town hopeful that 'frightening' injury sustained by Will Smith against Tranmere Rovers isn't as serious as was first feared

The 22-year-old centre-half lay prone on the Wetherby Road turf after landing heavily following an aerial challenge in the closing minutes of the contest and received a prolonged spell of on-field treatment before eventually being stretchered off. He was then taken to hospital by ambulance.

Town's manager described the initial sight of Smith landing like he did and the staying down as "frightening", though said he was encouraged by the apparent improvement in the former Barnsley player's condition before he left the EnviroVent Stadium.

"Will took a really nasty blow to his head and neck on his way down when he hit the deck and it was one of those shocking moments where you think 'get the physio and the doctor on quickly'," Weaver said.

"We don't know the full extent of the injury. He's gone to hospital, but my last thoughts when I saw him after the game was that he looked in better shape.

"He was conscious, he raised a smile and that's encouraging. He just had a headache but all feeling though everything was in spasm. Hopefully it's just a muscular thing - but I'm no doctor and it was a frightening sight.

"We're very concerned. Will is one of us and we love him to bits, it's an awful moment. Hopefully he'll be okay and make a speedy recovery."

Smith has been almost ever-present in the centre of the Harrogate defence since joining the club from Barnsley in the summer of 2019.

He has started all 11 of Town's League Two fixtures since they were promoted to the EFL this summer.