August 12 2002

Andy Johnson

Andy Johnson, who suffered what looked like a nasty injury during the 2-1 win over Preston, is said to have suffered no broken neck.

Johnson lay motionless on the ground at the end of the first half for a number of minutes, before being carried off the pitch on a stretcher.

First fears were that he might have broken his neck, which would have put him out the game for several months.

However, good news arrived today via club physiotherapist George Cooper, who told the Official Palace website that Johnson has his sights set on Tuesday's match against Bradford.

"Andrew was given a neurological assessment at the hospital and they were satisfied that there were no fractures in his neck and no real soft tissue damage," Cooper said.

"The diagnosis was ‘spinal shock’. He’s now got full movement back in his arm. He’s got a whiplash-type pain in his neck but he’s been walking around without a neck brace on and he’s just a bit shaken up.

"He was talking about playing in the Bradford game and we are now awaiting a specialist report to see if he will be cleared to play and then we'll see if he feels he's ready before we make a decision."