Cesar Azpilicueta breaks silence with Chelsea star still in hospital after being KOd and stretchered off vs Southampton

CESAR AZPILICUETA remains in hospital after suffering a horror head injury against Southampton - but was able to give the thumbs up.

The Chelsea captain was knocked out and stretchered off in distressing scenes at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Azpilicueta, 33, took a boot to the face as Saints forward Sekou Mara attempted an overhead kick.

The match, which Chelsea lost 1-0, was stopped for nine minutes as medics tended to the Spaniard.

He was stretchered off to a standing ovation before being taken to hospital.

He remained in hospital on Sunday but was fit enough to update fans on his health.

Alongside a picture of himself giving the thumbs up, he wrote: "Hi everyone! Thank you all for your love and messages of support!

"My family and I would like to thank everyone who has been looking after me since yesterday’s incident…

"From the @ChelseaFC medical team, to teammates and opponents, to St Mary’s and Cleveland Hospital and all staff members and doctors: a massive thank you from the bottom of my heart.

"Now, time to recover and I will see you soon on the pitch!"

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It's reported he will be able to go home on Monday.

Fortunately Azpilicueta is not thought to have broken anything as a result of the horror clash.

But the Evening Standard reported he was concussed, and will now go ahead with a "step-by-step" recovery from concussion.

Chelsea boss Graham Potter confirmed after the game that Azpilicueta had been taken to hospital.

Potter said: "He is in hospital, he is in the best place for him."

He added: "He is conscious and speaking to his wife."

Club doctors from both teams initially tended to Azpilicueta but St John's Ambulance paramedics took over as he lay on the floor.

Players on both sides looked visibly shocked after the freak incident.