Hull City's Ryan Mason to remain under observation after suffering fractured skull at Chelsea

The 25-year-old former Tottenham midfielder was carried off and received oxygen after a clash of heads with Chelsea’s Gary Cahill in the first half of Hull’s 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge.

He had surgery at St Mary’s Hospital in London on Sunday evening and was visited by Hull captain Michael Dawson and three club officials on Monday.

Hull said in a statement: “Ryan has been visited this morning at St Mary’s Hospital by club captain Michael Dawson, club doctor Mark Waller, head of medical Rob Price and club secretary Matt Wild.

“Ryan has been speaking of the incident yesterday and will continue to be monitored at the hospital over the coming days where the club will remain in close contact with Ryan, his family and the staff at St Mary’s.”

Cahill was able to carry on after treatment and scored the second goal in his side’s 2-0 victory.

But Mason was stretchered off and taken to the acute trauma centre at St Mary’s.

He had received treatment for most of a nine-minute break in play and eventually departed to a standing ovation from both sets of fans with his neck in a brace.

Cahill visited the hospital to check on Mason’s well-being. along with club captain John Terry and assistant boss Steve Holland.

The trio spent time with members of Mason’s family who had attended the game, which was marred by the incident in the 14th minute.

Brain injury charity Headway, meanwhile, praised the treatment of England international Mason.

Headway chief executive Peter McCabe said: “I was actually at the match and, while it was upsetting to witness the incident, it was encouraging to see the exemplary reaction of the medical teams.

“Headway has been critical of the way in which head injuries have been treated in many high-profile football incidents in recent years, but it is positive to see that lessons appear to have been learned.”

Chelsea’s head coach Antonio Conte said: “Everyone at Chelsea wants to wish for him the best.

“It was a bad accident with Gary and, I must be honest, after the first half also Gary wasn’t really good. He decided to continue the game. It was very bad this accident. Everyone at Chelsea, we hope to see him very soon on the pitch and to recover very soon.”

Mason, 25, joined Hull last summer for a fee reported to be around £13m, making him their record signing. He has played once for England.

Players from across England and Europe used Twitter to send best wishes to Mason, while the England team’s account posted a message reading: “Stay strong, Ryan” alongside a picture of him earning his sole England cap to date.

The Football Association tweeted: “We’d like to send our best wishes to @RyanMason, who suffered a skull fracture while playing for @HullCity today.”

Mason’s first professional club, Tottenham, posted: “Everyone at the Club sends their best wishes to @RyanMason for a full and speedy recovery. Get well soon, Ryan.”

Mason’s Hull team-mate Andrew Robertson tweeted: “Thoughts are with @RyanMason and his family”

Defender Cesar Azpilicueta was one of several Chelsea players to have been on the pitch at the time to send well wishes, posting: “Get well soon @RyanMason I’m sure you’ll recover quickly.”