Evan Ndicka: Udinese v Roma encounter abandoned after defender ...

Roma's Serie A match against Udinese was abandoned after defender Evan Ndicka collapsed on the pitch during the game.

With the score tied at 1-1 and with 18 minutes of normal time remaining, the Ivory Coast international collapsed off the ball and was stretchered off the pitch.

Following a 10-minute period of talks, both clubs, in conjunction with referee Luca Pairetto, made a decision to suspend the match, with the decision greeted with applause inside Stadio Friuli.

Encouraging news filtered through late on Sunday as Roma's players visited Ndicka in hospital, with the 24-year-old set to remain in hospital for further tests.

"Evan feels better and is in good spirits. He will remain under observation for tests in hospital," read a statement on social media, accompanied by a photo of the defender sporting a flexed bicep.

Former Watford midfielder Roberto Pereyra had put hosts Udinese in front, before Romelu Lukaku equalised for Daniele De Rossi's side.

Ndicka arrived at the Giallorossi on a free transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer after beginning his career at French side Auxerre.

He was also part of the Ivory Coast side that won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, featuring in every minute of every game at the tournament as The Elephants beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final.

Roma are back in action on Thursday in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg at home to AC Milan, after securing a 1-0 first-leg victory at the San Siro.