[Denver]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...-skull-9674938

Ryan Mason is facing an emergency operation following his horror clash with Chelsea defender Gary Cahill.

The Hull midfielder, 25, was rushed to hospital after sickening aerial collision amid fears of a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

Mirror Sport understands a top neurosurgeon is being flown with concern mounting over Mason’s condition.

The stricken star was treated for nine minutes on the pitch by medics after the incident before being stretchered off in a neck brace receiving oxygen.

He was then taken to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, one of the top acute trauma centres. Cahill, who was able to continue the match, later revealed his concern for former Spurs star Mason.

Referee Neil Swarbrick had stopped play as medics rushed on to the field to attend to Mason, giving him oxygen and putting his neck in a brace.

He eventually departed to a standing ovation after lengthly treatment on the pitch. David Meyler replaced him in the 20th minute.