Stanley boss John Coleman said seeing Tom Bender on Wednesday afternoon was a welcome relief.

The 18-year-old on-loan defender was knocked unconscious in Stanley’s abandoned JP Trophy match with Tranmere on Tuesday.

He had extensive treatment on the pitch before a scan at Blackburn Royal Hospital confirmed it was just severe concussion and he was released just after his manager had been to see him.

"It was nice to see him although he was still quite groggy and can’t really remember the last few weeks," said the Reds chief.

"It was good that we could see him though and it was a relief to see that he seemed okay.

"Saying that, he had been speaking to Kurtis Guthrie and then, 20 minutes later, he couldn’t remember speaking to him.

"The hospital were monitoring him in case of any bleeding but have now released him and hopefully he will get his memory back soon."

Bender did become national news on Tuesday night with rumours circling around that he had broken his neck at the Crown Ground but luckily he is expected to make a full recovery. He is now at home in Colchester with his family.

"It’s the way of the world at the moment," said Coleman. "I heard the rumour he had broken his neck and then that kind of news just spreads on things like Twitter.

"I had a phone call from a national newspaper late on Tuesday asking the same thing.

"It’s one of those things which is unavoidable in this day and age but thankfully he seems okay.

"I know it took a while for the ambulance to arrive but everyone, when they call an ambulance, wants it as quick as possible and it came when it did and everyone who treated him has been great.

"We are not sure how long he will be out as there can be a mandatory length of time but we will just wait until he is better."

Coleman admitted he has never been involved in anything like that in his career as a manager or a player.

"I have been out myself for 10 or 15 seconds but not as long as Tom was out which was initially around six minutes and that was obviously why he needed monitoring in hospital and he has had the best possible care.

"I have been taken from a football ground in an ambulance four times – for a broken cheek and eye socket, a split head, a broken leg and broken ribs but nothing like Tom. And I hope I never see it again."

Bender needed oxygen and a drip on the pitch and Coleman said: "It was just a ball over the top and their striker was trying to get the ball.

"He is eager to get the ball and it’s led to Tom’s momentum going onto a full-blooded punch from Bavs.

"It’s like double the force and the fact he didn't move when he hit the floor is a concern.

"The lads immediately knew something was wrong and waved the physio over straight away and obviously you then start worrying in the dug-out. They didn’t want to move him and we just had to wait for the ambulance to arrive.

"His dad was here watching and he went to the hospital with Tom so it was good that he was close at hand.

"I felt sick and was concerned for the lad and his family.

"But we slowly got to hear that his vital signs were working and that his breathing was stable and then that the scan had come back clear, which was a huge relief."

Coleman was in constant touch with Colchester boss John Ward – where Bender is on-loan from – and Stanley’s doctor Joyce Watson who went to hospital with Tom and was there until 1am on Wednesday morning.

She was also in constant contact with Reds keeper Ian Dunbavin who was part of the incident.

Tranmere were leading 2-1 and, at first, the game was going to go on after the lengthy delay but the Reds’ boss was glad it was called off after consulting the referee and Tranmere boss Les Parry.

He said: "I am glad the game is off as I think a few of the players, including the goalkeeper, wouldn’t have been in the right frame of mind to go on."