Republic of Ireland forward Sammie Szmodics has been released from hospital in Prague after being knocked unconscious during Thursday's World Cup play-off defeat by the Czech Republic.
The 24-year-old, who is currently on loan at Derby from Ipswich, was hurt in a collision with defender Stepan Chaloupek just two minutes after his introduction as an extra-time substitute at the Fortuna Arena, sparking concerned medics to rush to his aid.
Szmodics was carried from the field on a stretcher and taken straight to hospital, where Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson later revealed he would spend the night under observation.
A Football Association of Ireland spokesperson said on Friday morning: "Sammie Szmodics was transferred to hospital yesterday having sustained a head injury during extra time of the play-off against Czechia.
"Following further tests and a period of observation, he has been safely discharged from hospital and will continue his recovery under the care of the Republic of Ireland and Derby County medical teams."
Szmodics, who Hallgrimsson confirmed would have taken a penalty in the shoot-out which Ireland ultimately lost 4-3, took to social media to express his thanks to those who had helped him.
He posted on X: "Gutted the way it ended. Fans and boys immense all evening!! Appreciate everyone's messages. And thank you to the medical staff who acted so quickly to help me. On the mend."
Ireland captain Nathan Collins is confident his side have laid the foundations to qualify for future tournaments having seen hopes of reaching this summer's World Cup finals come to an end.
Collins and his team-mates were agonisingly close to the play-off final when they led the Czech Republic 2-1 in Prague on Thursday evening with just four minutes of normal time remaining.
However, Czech skipper Ladislav Krejci's late equaliser took the tie to extra-time and ultimately to penalties, where the hosts prevailed 4-3 to extend Ireland's wait for a first return to the big stage since 2002.
Asked about their progression to the play-offs, which was secured by back-to-back wins over Armenia, Portugal and Hungary, Brentford defender Collins said: "I'm not seeing many positives right now because we're in the gutter.
"But what we've created, the environment created with the fans and country, has been special. That's something we need to keep growing, to get even better at.
"That can help us get better on the pitch. We can push that and get fans to more tournaments."
Ireland had hoped to return to the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday for a showdown with either Denmark or North Macedonia for a place in the finals, but the Czechs will now host the Danes, who were 4-0 winners in Copenhagen.
Instead, Heimir Hallgrimsson's side face a friendly against the Macedonians.
Collins said: "The motivation has to be the same. We've to win to keep improving as a team and country. Any game we play at home is a big game."
