A lengthy delay occurred before medics could safely carry him from the Riverside pitch in a stretcher
PATRICK BAMFORD was carried off in a neck brace after receiving oxygen following a brutal collision with Bristol City's Aden Flint.
The Middlesbrough striker was left motionless on the ground for seven minutes just before the half hour mark of the Championship clash on Saturday.
Both sets of players were quick to show their concern following the ex-Chelsea star's heavy fall after going for an aerial challenge with the towering Robins defender.
Medics raced onto the field an appeared to place an oxygen mask over the face of the 24-year-old.
Flint stood over the stricken ace clearly worried for his health as he was tended to by the Boro medical team.
Bamford was then placed in a neck brace before carefully being placed on a stretcher and taken off the pitch.
Following the lengthy delay he was replaced by Britt Assombalonga with the scores tied a 1-1.
Bamford later tweeted that he was OK and thanked medical staff for their help.
Milan Duric had given Bristol City the lead after just 13 minutes.
But play-off hopefuls Boro soon hit back to level through left-back George Friend.
Bamford's likely absence for the run-in would be a bitter blow for Tony Pulis' side after his recent run of nine goals in his last ten matches.
At half-time it was confirmed that Bamford was conscious.
He had been speaking in the dressing-room before he was taken to hospital as a precaution for further tests.
Bamford later tweeted his thanks to supporters for their well wishes and stated he was back home recovering.
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