EFL match in lengthy delay as player stretchered off needing oxygen

Cardiff City’s clash with Stockport County was delayed by 12 minutes during the first half on Saturday.

The match was paused after Bluebirds striker Yousef Salech suffered a nasty injury in the Welsh capital.

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Salech had to receive oxygen after landing horribly following a challenge from Stockport’s Brad Hills.

The pair had both jumped for the ball in the air before Salech appeared to suffer a blow to the head.

Stockport had been leading 1-0 at the time before a lengthy delay at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Salech was treated by the medical staff before being stretchered off the pitch with his neck in a brace.

He was subsequently replaced by Callum Robinson before the match resumed.

The 24-year-old has scored 12 goals in 27 League One appearances for Cardiff this season.

His performances were rewarded with a new four-and-a-half-year deal on Tuesday.

Salech, who joined the club from Sirius in January last year, is now contracted until the summer of 2030.

Meanwhile, once the action resumed on Saturday afternoon, Joel Colwill equalised during first half stoppage time.

His effort cancelled out Kyle Wootton’s opener for the visitors.

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Neither side was able to find a winning goal during the second half as the match ended 1-1.

It is the same scoreline as the return fixture between the two sides back in September.

On that occasion, Salech scored a stoppage time equaliser to rescue a point for his side.

The result leaves Cardiff four points clear at the top of the table as they eye an immediate return to the Championship.

Last season’s relegation saw the club drop into the third tier for the first time in 22 years.

Cardiff return to action at home to Barnsley on Tuesday night before a trip to Burton next weekend.

As for Stockport, the Hatters sit 10 points adrift of their opponents in fourth.

Dave Challinor’s side travel to Blackpool in midweek ahead of the visit of Plymouth on Saturday, January 31.