Chelsea youngster Jesse Derry was taken off the field at Stamford Bridge on a stretcher and hospitalised after a sickening collision with Nottingham Forest ’s Zach Abbott.

The 18-year-old was making his first senior start for the club and had been one of their brightest sparks, trying to get the team back into the game after going 2-0 down in the first half.

But his first start came to a horrible end as he clashed heads with Abbott in the box as both leapt for the ball 44 minutes in, with Derry getting there marginally quicker and winning a penalty.

The welfare of both players - both academy players earning a rare first-team appearance - was the immediate concern however as both went to ground.

Derry had been one of Chelsea's biggest attacking threats prior to his injury (PA)

The 18-year-old was attended to by medical staff and taken off on a stretcher (Getty)

Derry’s teammates swiftly signalled the need for the substitution to be made, while referee Anthony Taylor immediately called for medical staff…