Malbranque taken to hospital with chest pains

SUNDERLAND midfielder Steed Malbranque was being assessed by doctors tonight after being taken to hospital with chest pains during the game. Malbranque dropped to the turf holding his chest just before half-time at Fratton Park before walking off the pitch. But manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that Malbranque was taken to hospital by paramedics for assessment. It's a strange one, said the Sunderland boss. He got a pain in his chest but he didn't get a whack or anything so we're not too sure. He's away to hospital, I believe, so we'll see how he is. There was no further news on the situation, with Bruce and the Sunderland squad flying back to the North-East from Southampton at 11.30pm.

Source: Northern_Echo