WYCOMBE WANDERERS star Tjay De Barr was rushed to hospital after collapsing on the pitch at the end of his side’s 1-0 defeat at Plymouth Argyle.
Fans and players were left shocked as the striker fell to the ground with no-one around him moments after the final whistle.
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De Barr, 22, was later discharged from hospital and returned to his home in Buckinghamshire.
He was a second-half sub for the visitors in their League One loss at Argyle’s Home Park stadium.
Paramedics rushed over to the player as he lay on the floor as team-mates gathered around him.
Thousands of concerned fans watched on from the stands.
De Barr was treated on the pitch by medics before being covered in a foil blanket and placed onto a stretcher to be carried off the pitch.
He was taken to hospital and was accompanied in the ambulance by Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth.
Tweeting after the game, Wanderers said: “There was a medical incident at full-time involving Tjay De Barr.
“We thank the staff for their swift action and await news of his condition.”
It is unknown what caused De Barr to collapse, but during the match he was reportedly left puffing after a collision with an opponent.
Wycombe later added: “Tjay De Barr has been treated on-site by medics and is in a good condition, but will go to hospital for further tests.
“Thank you to everyone for their well wishes, and to the medical staff for their swift and expert assistance.”
Wycombe’s assistant manager Richard Dobson said: “He is up and talking but obviously you don’t want to see that at the end of the game.
“There is obviously great concern about for him and his wellbeing. Tjay is a real fighter so for him to go down in the manner he did is totally out of character.
“So something is clearly not right but he is in good hands and in the right place.”
Wycombe later confirmed through their social media that De Barr had gone through several tests, and been sent home.
The club said: “Following a series of tests in hospital, Tjay De Barr has been discharged and is on his way home, accompanied by Manager Gareth Ainsworth and Head of Medical Cian O’Doherty.
“Great news, and keep well Tjay.”
De Barr had only been on the pitch for 24 minutes against the Pilgrims on December 29, after he came on as a second-half substitute for Ali Al-Hamadi.
He took a blow to the torso in a 50/50 challenge with Argyle’s Danny Mayor and struggled to move fluidly for the rest of the game.
After the game Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher revealed that De Barr ‘might have been coughing up blood’ following the collision.
He said: “When I got to him, he [De Barr] was coughing a lot and he was on his side.
“The referee said that he might have been coughing up blood.
“Before the end of the game, it looked like he had run into Danny Mayor so there was a bit of a collision, and he told the referee that he was struggling to breathe.
“It was quite scary for everyone and we wish him well.”
Fans were quick to send messages wishing the Gibraltarian well on social media after the distressing scenes.
One said: “All thoughts this evening with Tjay De Barr.”
Another wrote: “Argyle fan here hoping to hear good news, felt sick walking home.”
One noted: “Not nice to see , hope he makes a speedy recovery.”
Another added: “This is the main thing that matters most tonight, best wishes on behalf of me and all Argyle fans to the lad.”
De Barr joined Wycombe on a free transfer in August 2021 and scored once in eight games last term.
He spent the second half of the campaign on loan at National League side Eastleigh, playing four times.
De Barr’s cameo against Plymouth was his fifth appearance of the current season, and the ace also has three goals in 30 games for Gibraltar.