Source: SKY_Sports
Spector praise for staff
Jonathan Spector has praised West Ham's medical staff after suffering a serious injury against Sunderland.[LNB] The American right-back went in for a header with the Black Cats' Tal Ben-Haim and suffered an immediate concussion in the incident.[LNB]Spector has praised the Hammers' medical officer Ges Steinbergs and physio George Cooper for reacting fast after he swallowed his tongue.[LNB]"I don't remember the incident itself," Spector told the club's official website.[LNB]"I went up for a header and there was a clash of heads with one of the Sunderland players.[LNB]"There was nothing in it, just two players going for the ball and I came off worse than he did."[LNB]American swallowed tongueSpector revealed the staff's quick-thinking helped him get some oxygen back into his lungs at a crucial time. [LNB]"I suffered concussion before I hit the ground and then landed awkwardly where I got a shoulder problem.[LNB]"I also swallowed my tongue as I bit it on impact. I wasn't getting any oxygen so I started having a bit of a fit. [LNB]"Ges and George did a really good job of helping me get some oxygen back in my lungs.[LNB]"They were not able to pull my tongue out as I had clenched my jaw, so they ended up putting a tube through my nose and down my throat to help me get the oxygen that way.[LNB]"I was fortunate it happened here where we have good and qualified medical staff.[LNB]"I spent a night in hospital for observation. Once I started getting the oxygen everything was fine. Once I came to, I tried to rip everything off me but I wasn't aware of my surroundings and I don't remember it."[LNB]Upson helpSpector also reserved praise for team-mate Matthew Upson, after the centre-half helped to calm him down as he began to panic.[LNB]"It was actually Matt who came over and talked to me and calmed me down a bit.[LNB]"My first memory is of being in the ambulance with Ges. They explained what happened and from then on I was okay.[LNB]"My folks saw it on television and were concerned but Ges spoke to them while I was in hospital and explained everything."[LNB]The former Manchester United youngster has admitted his frustration at the injury as he was just getting back into the team after a hip injury ruled him out of the first six months of the campaign.[LNB]"It's been a difficult season what with getting injured at the end of last season and missing the first half of this season with a hip problem. [LNB]"I was fit and getting a run of games in the side and then this happens. [LNB]"It's just a minor setback though."[LNB]
