FORMER Lancashire player Joe Scuderi sustained a serious head injury during Nelson's clash with Todmorden yesterday.

Play in the Musbury Fabrics Lancashire League game was suspended for 45 minutes as Scuderi waited for an ambulance to arrive at Centre Vale to treat the injury, which he sustained while batting against Tod skipper Stuart Priestley.

The Australian all-rounder had initially tried to shake off the blow, and faced three balls, before collapsing. But, after treatment at Burnley General, Scuderi is reported to be on the mend, and is now back home.

Nelson chairman Milton Lord said: "I went to see Joe in hospital. He had an X-ray and they kept him in for observation, but we were able to bring him home around 10.30 last night."

Scuderi, who received the blow on the back of the head, is not ruling out returning to action as soon as next Sunday when Nelson take on Accrington at Seedhill.

Lord added: "It really is a case of seeing how Joe feels over this week.

"He coaches our under-17s, but he will not take them tonight and will rest instead.

"Then we will see how he is before the weekend, but really any head injury is worrying."

Nelson went on to win the game at Centre Vale by two wickets.