Puerta's prognosis "very serious" after collapse

MADRID, Aug 26 (Reuters) The prognosis for Sevilla player Antonio Puerta remains ''very serious'' following his collapse and loss of consciousness during his side's league match against Getafe.

''Antonio Puerta remains under sedation in the intensive care unit, with assisted ventilation and haemodynamic instability,'' said a medical report issued by the Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville today.

''We will issue another report tomorrow unless there are further incidents to report.'' Earlier, doctors had said the prognosis for the 22-year-old Spanish international was ''very serious''.

However, Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido said doctors were becoming more optimistic.

''The player's life was saved thanks to the rapid intervention of the club doctors and the Red Cross because he had a number of cardiac arrests,'' del Nido was quoted as saying on the club's Web site (www.sevillafc.es) after visiting Puerta today.

''Despite the severity of the situation his situation appears to be evolving favourably and the doctors are becoming more optimistic.'' Puerta collapsed after jogging back towards his own goal 35 minutes into the game at the Sanchez Pizjuan yesterday.

Team mates and medical staff rushed to his side and were seen preventing him from swallowing his tongue as he lost consciousness.

He was able to walk from the pitch but doctors said that he collapsed again in the changing rooms and had to be given cardiac resuscitation before being taken to hospital.

AC Milan, Sevilla's opponents in next week's European Super Cup issued a statement today wishing the player a speedy recovery.

REUTERS TB PM1919