Barrow manager Pete Wild has confirmed the status of two players after they were stretchered off during his side’s 4-1 defeat at Wrexham.
Both David Worrall and Luca Stephenson had to be carried down the tunnel at The Raceourse Ground on Monday following serious head collisions. The two injuries came in a heavy defeat for the Bluebirds, ending their 14-game unbeaten run in League Two.
Kian Spence scored with less than a minute on the clock, before three goals in a lengthy added time caused by Worrall’s injury in the first half saw the Welsh side take control.
Liverpool loanee Stephenson was stretchered off on 57 minutes, with Steven Fletcher netting the final goal of his hat-trick to seal Wrexham‘s win.
Speaking to club media following the game, the 39-year-old confirmed both players were conscious and responsive.
He said: “David Worrall’s been taken to hospital, he was knocked clean out. He’s now awake and his observations are okay, so that’s good to hear.
“Luca was knocked out as well. He didn’t need to go to hospital but was quite dazed from the challenge.”
The club have since confirmed that David Worral has been discharged from hospital.
Following up on this, after being assessed David Worrall has now been discharged from hospital and is able to go home.#WeAreBarrow https://t.co/oHFuBy2FIm
— Barrow AFC (@BarrowAFC) January 1, 2024
The full-back was added to the side after missing the 1-1 draw with Accrington Stanley, with an illness in the Barrow camp causing five changes to the Cumbrian side’s starting 11.
Assessing his side’s performance on the day, Wild added: “We started brilliantly today, for 40 odd minutes we were brilliant, and we took it to Wrexham like we wanted to do.
“We ended up having a mad ten minutes, all three goals were completely avoidable. Wrexham are in complete control of the football match, they come out second half and have the ability with the players they’ve got to control it. They were ruthless with the fourth.
“One thing I’ll say about the lads today, it was a game too far. We’ve worked hard across the Christmas period. We’ve given everything we’ve got for the club, and unfortunately it wasn’t our day today.”
Barrow welcome a resurgent Tranmere Rovers to Holker Street on Saturday, with Nigel Adkins’ side on a four-game winning run.
Writer’s View
It is wonderful news for everyone that both David Worrall and Luca Stephenson are well and okay. You never want to see a serious injury in a game, let alone two. Hopefully it will not be long before we see them back on the pitch and helping Barrow once more.
The Bluebirds’ streak had to end eventually, and there is no shame in losing to one of the league’s strongest teams away in Wrexham. Pete Wild has asked his side to reset their mindset and switch off from football going into the game against Tranmere, which should see them come back out fighting and winning come Saturday. Rovers will be missing Nigel Adkins following his sending off against Notts County, so the lack of leadership on the touchline could make the difference between the two sides.
Football journalist with The Real EFL since 2023. A 2024 Multimedia Journalism graduate from the University of Salford, Lewis specialises in Salford City FC and EFL coverage.
