THE agent of a Sunderland footballer who collapsed in the dressing room half way through a match has revealed that paramedics had to use a defibrillator after his heart stopped twice.

Left-back Clive Clarke, who signed a four year contract at The Stadium of Light in August last year, is now said to be in a stable condition after the incident on Tuesday night.

The 27-year-old Irish international joined Leicester City on loan two weeks ago, and their Carling Cup tie against Nottingham Forest was abandoned at half-time after Clarke lost consciousness.

He received treatment from paramedics but regained consciousness and was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, in Nottingham.

His agent, Gary Mellor, said that more tests were being carried out yesterday but he did not know when the footballer would be released from hospital.

He added: "It appears Clive's heart stopped twice and mouth-to-mouth didn't work, so the paramedics had to use a defibrillator. His family are very upset. We just hope he is going to be okay."

Earlier on Tuesday, Seville's Spanish international Antonio Puerta, 22, died after losing consciousness on the pitch during a league game against Getafe.

Last week, 16-year-old Walsall youth team player Anton Reid died after collapsing during a training session, while Cameroon international Marc-Vivien Foà died while playing for his country in a FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final in 2003.

Clarke played four times during Sunderland's Championship title-winning campaign last season.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn said that news had filtered through during the Black Cat's game at Luton Town and praised the medical staff who had treated the defender.

He said: "Sunderland AFC are very grateful to both club's medical departments for all they have done in a very difficult situation.

"Our thoughts and prayers are still very much with Clive and his family and we wish him a speedy recovery."

Manager Roy Keane said: "He's one of our players and fingers crossed, please God, he'll be okay. We wish him well."

Leicester City chairman Milan Mandaric said yesterday: "Encouragingly, Clive is improving and he's quite comfortable. It's important he just gets better.

"It's a sad thing when you see a young man collapsing and getting down on the floor."