Clarke 'improving' in hospital

Republic of Ireland defender Clive Clarke is making progress in his recovery from a double heart failure and "sat up and spoke" in hospital this afternoon, his club chairman Milan Mandaric has confirmed.

Clarke, who is on a three-month loan spell at Leicester City from Sunderland, collapsed at half-time in last night's Carling Cup clash at Nottingham Forest just hours after the death of Sevilla defender Antonio Puerta who suffered a cardiac arrest whilst in action against Getafe on Saturday.

The second round tie was abandoned after the 27-year-old had lost consciousness in the dressing room.

After mouth-to-mouth resuscitation had failed, paramedics twice had to use a defibrillator to restart his heart at the City Ground before Clarke regained consciousness and was taken to hospital where he spent last night in a stable condition.

Mandaric said: "Unfortunately I have not had chance to see him but it is encouraging news that he is stabilising and he has sat up and spoke and is quite comfortable and resting.

"It is important he just gets better. It is a sad thing when you see a young man collapsing and getting down on the floor. It wasn't something that anyone can accept easily but I think the most important thing now is that he gets out of hospital and gets on with his football."

Clarke's agent Gary Mellor does not know when the left-back will be released from hospital.

He told BBC Radio: "Clive is sitting up and talking and he is going to have more tests.  They won't give us any idea as to when he will be released. They don't want to tell us any more until they know exactly what happened.

"His family are very upset, especially after what happened with the Sevilla player Antonio Puerta dying recently. We just hope he is going to be okay."

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has sent the club's best wishes to Clarke and has wished the Dubliner a speedy recovery.

"Our thoughts and prayers are still very much with Clive and his family and we wish him a speedy recovery," he said.

"We are in constant contact with the Leicester, who reacted magnificently in the circumstances. Sunderland AFC are very grateful to the medical departments at both Leicester and Nottingham Forest for all they have done in a very difficult situation."

Sunderland manager Roy Keane added his thoughts to those of his chairman.

He said: "He's one of our players and fingers crossed, please God, he will be okay. We wish him well."

Clarke won two senior Irish caps under Brian Kerr in 2004, against Nigeria and Jamaica.

•  Leicester have parted company with manager Martin Allen after the club admitted differences of opinion had caused a fall-out at the Walkers Stadium.

A club statement stated: "Differences between both parties regarding the direction of the club have led to a breakdown in the relationship."

Speculation about Allen's future had been growing for several days and despite the manager dismissing claims of a rift he and the club have parted company by mutual consent.

Chairman Milan Mandaric said: "Given our respective visions for the football club it was decided that it would be in the best interests if we parted company.

"Our main priority now is to focus on our match against Plymouth at Home Park on Saturday and ensure we stay on course for promotion this season.

"Academy manager Jon Rudkin, coach Steve Beaglehole and goalkeeping coach Mike Stowell will take over first team duties with immediate effect.  Contrary to media speculation we do not have an immediate replacement. The search to appoint a successor now begins."