THE clash between Tintern Abbey and Mathern A on the weekend ended prematurely in dramatic fashion when Mathern keeper Josh Carter collapsed with no other player close by.

Josh, 25, complained of a “pins-and-needles” sensation in his legs and a back injury was suspected, the decision was taken to not move the stricken keeper while an ambulance was called for and the game was abandoned.

When paramedics arrived about an hour later they took him to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for an MRI scan.

On Sunday, speaking from his hospital bed, Josh said the MRI was taken because it was feared he might have suffered a prolapse of one of the discs in his back.

“The scan ruled that out which is good news because if the disc was pressing on my spinal cord, the damage could have been permanent,” he added.

“However it means they are unsure what is causing it so it’s back to square one a bit.

“I still have no feeling from my hips down and obviously I am staying in hospital until I can walk again.

“They are transferring me to the Royal Gwent and I’m guessing they will keep looking at options as to what’s causing it.”