Niemi set to miss cup clash

Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi has been released from hospital after doctors cleared him of spinal cord or column injury.

The Finland international is highly unlikely to play in the FA Cup third-round clash with Leicester on Saturday but may not be sidelined for as long as had been feared.

Niemi fell on his head from a considerable height after attempting to clear the ball from his area. It was a sickening injury that halted play for seven minutes during the goalless Barclays Premiership draw with Watford.

He was immediately taken for x-rays and a statement on the club's website, fulhamfc.com, said: “The club can now announce that Antti Niemi, having been reviewed at the ground by a spinal surgeon, was taken to hospital where he was reviewed by the doctors there and was cleared of any spinal cord or spinal column injury.

“Therefore, the injury sustained is believed to be related to the soft tissue (the ligaments and muscles).

“Antti has been released from hospital and is currently not in a neck brace, but he is being reviewed by the Fulham medical team constantly and will undergo further investigations over the next few days, after which a full prognosis will be issued.”

Fulham boss Chris Coleman will wait for the results before giving a date for his return.

Coleman said after the game: “We were very worried about Antti. It didn’t look very good from the replay. He fell very awkwardly.

“He has got some damage to his neck but he can feel his arms and legs, so that’s all right.

“It looks worse on the replay than it actually was but we don’t know when he will be back. The most important thing is for him to get better.”