Bulls player in hospital with heart condition

The Australian was taken ill after his club’s 37-22 loss against Leeds Rhinos in Manchester on Sunday.

The club has not revealed details of Purtell’s condition but his mother has flown to England after receiving the news.

She was quoted in Australian paper The Border Mail as saying: “Adrian had a heart attack. He had a blockage to one of the main arteries to the heart but he’s OK.

“He’s in Leeds hospital and is in good care.”

Purtell, 27, began to feel unwell after the match and his conditioned worsened as the squad travelled back along the M62 on Sunday evening.

Bradford’s team bus twice had to stop to allow the club doctor to administer treatment, including fitting a drip.

It eventually made a detour to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Purtell was then transferred to the LGI where he is expected to remain for the rest of the week.

Bulls football manager Stuart Duffy told the Yorkshire Post: “I’ve had a text from Adrian saying his mother is on her way over and that he’s feeling a lot better.

“He had been taken poorly after the match when the squad was having something to eat.

“Our doctor then monitored his progress on the way back and decided, as we were coming back into Yorkshire, to get him to a hospital as soon as possible.

“He’s going to be in there a few more days at least but we can’t comment much further.”

Purtell joined from Penrith Panthers on a three-year deal last November but his career seems sure to now be in jeopardy.

In 2007 it was found he was suffering from deep vein thrombosis after a blood clot was found in his lungs. He made a successful return to the playing field, recording 100 games in Australia’s NRL and making a solid start to his career with Bradford.

The fixture had been played in intense heat with numerous players struggling with the conditions.