Linfield boss David Healy provides update on goalkeeper David Walsh

20-year-old Northern Ireland youth international stopper Walsh had helped his team – who played with 10-men for an hour after Kyle McClean was sent off – keep reigning champions Larne at bay with an impressive performance.

He suffered a head injury in the 90th minute after accidentally colliding with an opponent’s knee and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Walsh was released the following morning to further recover at home and Healy, who watched his side beat Ballymena United 3-0 in their Danske Bank Premiership clash at Windsor Park on Saturday, posted an update to Linfield’s official website earlier today, which included that the young goalkeeper won’t be able to return to training for a ‘14-day period in line with concussion protocols governing player welfare’.

"David Walsh was released from hospital on Wednesday, to continue his recovery from injury at home,” he wrote.

“He wanted to witness some of the club’s training session on Thursday, so that he could provide a reassuring presence to his team mates who had been so concerned about his well-being, after the serious injury he sustained in the closing stages of Tuesday’s game at Seaview.

"David’s presence, in watching his team mates train was a major boost to the morale and spirits of all our players and staff.

“While the players were training on the Midgley training pitch on Thursday, David was able to be further assessed and treated by the club’s medical staff, and I again want to express my gratitude to the medical professionals and paramedics who attended to him after he went down injured in Tuesday’s game.

“After watching the players train at Midgley, David wanted to thank in person the players and staff who had all sent him personal messages of concern and good will in the hours after he was taken to hospital in an ambulance on Tuesday.

“David was also keen to be in attendance at yesterday’s home game against Ballymena and in spite of the obvious facial scars, he remained in good spirits and hopefully, the 3-0 win will further boost his morale and recovery.

“David will continue to recover at home and he will be receiving ongoing treatment and assessment from the club’s medical professionals.

“In accordance with the concussion protocols governing player welfare, he will not be in a position to commence training for a 14 day period but I know he’s determined to follow the relevant medical guidance, so that he will hopefully be well enough to resume training at the appropriate time, once the concussion protocol time lines have been observed and complied with.

“Again, I just want to thank our supporters for the countless good will messages which have been sent to the club or directly to David. The concern shown to David has been genuine and it’s been greatly appreciated.”