A Fermanagh-born footballer was last night said to be "out of danger" after suffering a fractured skull and eye socket in a training session.
Former Rangers, Preston and Blackpool player Andy Little (27), who is from Enniskillen, was injured on Tuesday while training with Scottish League Two side Stirling Albion.
The club said he was involved in an accidental clash of heads with a team-mate and rushed to Forth Valley Royal Hospital before being transferred to a hospital in Edinburgh.
The parents of the footballer, whose older brother is television presenter Graham Little, were said to be making plans to travel to see him.
Club chairman Stuart Brown said: "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.
"His injuries are a fractured skull and eye socket and clearly he faces a long journey to recovery.
"I spoke to Andy's mum, in Ireland, earlier today and she and his dad are making plans to travel to Scotland. I have assured her that Stirling Albion will do everything necessary to assist Andy back to full health.
"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."
Little, who has been capped nine times by Northern Ireland, started his career at Rangers before moving to Preston in 2014.
