TOM Bender is planning to attend Colchester United’s home match against Yeovil Town on Saturday.

TOM Bender is planning to attend Colchester United’s home match against Yeovil Town on Saturday.

Bender hit the headlines on Tuesday night, after being injured while playing for his loan club Accrington Stanley in a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy match against Tranmere.

The 18-year-old received treatment on the pitch for 25 minutes, and was put on a drip and given oxygen, after suffering a nasty head injury during the first half. The game was abandoned.

Bender was taken to hospital for a brain scan, but initial fears that he had sustained a serious head injury were dispelled when the results of the scan gave him the all-clear. He left Blackburn Hospital yesterday and has since returned to his home in Essex to begin his recuperation.

“Tom should be at the stadium this weekend, to see the club doctor, and hopefully he will be here to watch the game,” explained Ward during this morning’s press conference.

“Tuesday was a worrying evening for us all, with Tom’s injury, but it’s very fortunate that it was only severe concussion.

“We have got him back home now and we will look after him. He’s come back home.

“We will look after him with our club doctor. It’s nothing against Accrington Stanley, but it just makes the lad more comfortable.

“But there is no time-span about when he can start training again.

“There is no hurry to rush him back, and Accrington have been very good about it. Their manager, John Coleman, has said it’s entirely up to us and the boy,” added Ward.