THIS is the dramatic moment medics worked on North-East footballer James Morrison after he collapsed during a Premiership match.

The Middlesbrough winger received extensive medical treatment after being knocked unconscious during the home game with Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.

With the game heading for injury-time, the 19-year-old sprawled motionless on the Riverside Stadium turf after the boot of Spurs' Robbie Keane struck him in the face as they challenged for the ball.

Last night, the player's father, Charlie, who was not at the game, said: "It was shocking to see it happen on TV."

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren said the injury sustained during the 3-3 draw was not as bad as first feared.

Mr McClaren said the player, who is from Darlington, regained consciousness in the dressing room before the final whistle sounded.

He said: "I don't think it is as bad as first thought. He came off unconscious but was conscious in the dressing room.

"He had a smile on his face when we all walked in, and we will be assessing him in the next 24 hours.

"It looked very serious on the field. The medical team dealt with the situation quickly. He was kicked in the head, it was an accident.

"You know in those situations how serious they are by the players' reactions. From the distance we are at on the line, you don't really know how bad it is. It's worse for the players. It was worrying."

The player was last night resting. His father said: "He is fine and we are glad to have him home.

"He has concussion and did not really know what happened to him.

"It was not a nice moment to see him go down."

It emerged last night that James is unlikely to play in Wednesday's Carling Cup quarter-final with Blackburn.

He is a former pupil of Abbey Junior School and Hummersknott Comprehensive, both in Darlington.