DARLINGTON defender Paddy Almond has been transferred to a London hospital with a bleed on the brain after suffering a suspected concussion during this afternoon's FA Trophy defeat at Southend United.

Almond, who is a former youth player with Sunderland, was substituted during the second half of Darlington's 2-1 defeat at Roots Hall.

The referee spoke with the Quakers defender around five minutes prior to his departure from the field, and in the wake of his substitution, he was taken to a hospital in Southend for a brain scan.

That scan revealed a bleed on the brain, and he has subsequently been transferred to a specialist unit in London.

Danny O'Connor, who is the medical specialist on Darlington's backroom staff, has accompanied 20-year-old Almond to hospital.

A statement on Darlington's website said: "Darlington defender Paddy Almond came off in the second half of our game at Southend today, and was rushed to hospital with suspected concussion.

"After a brain scan at Southend Hospital, Paddy has been diagnosed with a bleed on the brain, and is currently being transferred (Danny is with him) to a specialist London hospital for further treatment.

"Paddy is in our thoughts, and we continue to wish him a speedy recovery."

Darlington lost today's game 2-1 after conceding a decisive goal deep into stoppage time.