The father of footballer Andy Little from Enniskillen reported this week that his son should make a full recovery after sustaining a fractured skull and several minor fractures of the upper vertebrae in an accidental clash with another player in Scotland last Tuesday.

Peter Little, who has been to Edinburgh to visit his 27-year-old son in hospital, explained that last Tuesday night at Stirling Albion F.C., on a normal training night, they were having a practice game.

He said: “Andy went to head a ball and there was an accidental clash with another player, and the other player’s knee struck Andrew’s head full force.” According to Mr. Little, Andy was knocked to the ground. “He was knocked out for four or five minutes,” he said.

The result, he said, was “a fractured skull and several minor fractures of the upper vertebrae.”

Mr. Little went on to say that Andy “was taken by ambulance to Forth Valley Royal Hospital and once they had established he had a fractured skull he was taken to the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.”

In reference to his youngest son’s recovery, he said “the good news is that although he is very sore and his recovery will take some time he should make a full recovery.”

Mr. Little continued: “The doctors have advised that he ought to make a full recovery as they do not believe there is any damage to the brain.”

He went to visit him in the Edinburgh hospital last Wednesday and stayed with him for a few days, before returning at the weekend. Andy’s mother Melanie was due to go over on Wednesday.

Mr. Little mentions at this stage they do not know how long he will be in hospital, but they are hopeful he will get out soon.

This is the second head injury sustained by Andy Little. His father recalled that he “also sustained a fairly major head injury almost four years ago when he was playing with Rangers".

At that time, Mr. Little recollected he sustained a shattered cheekbone and broken jaw.

Extending thanks on Tuesday evening of this week, he said he would like to thank the physio and doctor at Stirling Albion whom he said were fortunately on the scene and gave him emergency treatment prior to the ambulance’s arrival.

“The support from the club and its chairman Stuart Brown has been magnificent,” added Mr. Little, who acknowledged that the family “are very thankful that the indicators are that he should make a full recovery in time.”

Stirling Albion FC on its Twitter account @Stirling_Albion in a tweet ‘Andy Little injury update’, posted on April 12, 2017, recorded: “Andy Little suffered a serious head injury following an accidental clash of heads at training on Tuesday evening. He was taken by ambulance to FVRH and subsequently transferred to Edinburgh."

Stuart Brown, Club Chairman, commented: “I have been updated by the club medical staff that whilst this was a serious and scary incident, and Andy’s injuries are substantial, he is now comfortable and stable in hospital and out of danger.”

Further in the tweet, he recorded: “I can’t thank our club doctor Andrew Deeley, our physio Kenny Crichton and the paramedics enough for their swift and expert attention. It is especially comforting that within our club we have personnel that have both the skills and dedication to handle such, hopefully rare, situations.”