Jesse Derry, the 18-year-old Chelsea winger, was taken to hospital after a head collision during his first Premier League start in the 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest. The club later confirmed he was conscious and talking, undergoing precautionary checks.
Derry, son of former QPR midfielder Shaun Derry, impressed in the first half before the incident in the 45th minute. He clashed heads with Forest's Zach Abbott, requiring nine minutes of treatment before being stretchered off with oxygen.
Interim head coach Calum McFarlane praised Derry's performance, saying: 'I'm pleased with Jesse's performance, I thought he performed well while he was on.' Derry had scored 10 goals in 16 games for Chelsea's Under-21s under McFarlane.
The teenager's display was a rare bright spot in a dismal defeat that confirmed Chelsea cannot finish in the Premier League's top five. He showed confidence early on, keeping the ball in play and attempting an acrobatic volley, while also winning a penalty that Cole Palmer missed.
Derry joined Chelsea last summer after his academy contract at Crystal Palace expired, beating competition from European giants. He had previously made substitute appearances in FA Cup wins at Hull and Wrexham.
