Fernando Torres is in a "stable and conscious" condition after being rushed to hospital.

The Spanish striker appeared to have been knocked unconscious after a sickening clash of heads during Atletico Madrid's encounter with Deportivo.

Torres hit the ground with some real force after challenging Alex Bergantinos for an aerial ball late on.

Atleti players immediately rushed over to check on Torres, amid fears he may have swallowed his tongue.

Some of the striker's teammates appeared to be in tears with Diego Simeone protesting to the officials.

After receiving treatment on the pitch, Torres was stretchered off in a neck brace and taken to a nearby hospital.

Atletico later confirmed the striker was now in a stable condition and had already undergone scans on his skull and spine.

The La Liga club added Torres had not suffered any "alterations nor traumatic injuries".

He is set to spend the night in hospital for observations, as per the protocol of the medical staff.

Torres tweeted late in the night, thanking fans for their concern, adding "It was just a scare. I hope to return very soon!"

Boss Diego Simeone even admitted he heard the blow to the head from the touchline.

"Worried, nervous, are the feelings after a blow as strong as he has received," he said.

"I felt a noise from the bench, I do not know if it was the neck, but something felt, these are unfortunate situations that happen in the game."

Chelsea and Liverpool sent their best wishes to the former striker after the incident.

The striker entered the fray shortly after the hour mark during the clash, which ended 1-1.

Torres' teammate Antoine Griezmann added: "I dont really care now about football or the result, only worried about Fernando's health at moment.

"I hope he's ok and back soon."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fernando-torres-taken-hospital-after-9952949

Match: Deportivo La Coruna vs Atletico Madrid Match (02/03/2017)