England captain John Terry knocked out in cup final

CARDIFF, Feb 25 (Reuters) England and Chelsea captain John Terry was carried off the pitch at the League Cup final today after being knocked unconscious when he was accidentally kicked in the face by Arsenal's Abou Diaby.

With the scores 1-1 in the 56th minute the central defender stooped to get his head to a loose ball in the Arsenal area and his face took the full force of Diaby's attempted clearance. He was motionless for several minutes while medical staff from both sides treated him.

Terry, who played in the final after a surprise recovery from a twisted ankle suffered in Wednesday's Champions League 1-1 draw with Porto, was fitted with a neck brace and oxygen mask and carried carefully from the Millennium Stadium pitch.

BBC radio reported Terry had regained consciousness, though he was confused and was being taken to hospital in the Welsh capital.

REUTERS SAM RK2305