Roma’s Evan Ndicka is cleared to resume playing after collapsing on the pitch against Udinese with a collapsed lung… but will continue to be ‘monitored’ after tests

AS Roma defender Evan Ndicka has been cleared to resume sporting activity after undergoing a series of tests, the Serie A club said on Tuesday, days after the 24-year-old collapsed on the pitch during their match against Udinese with a collapsed lung.

The Paris-born player, who represents the Ivory Coast, was carried off on a stretcher after falling backwards onto the pitch in the 18th minute with the game in Udine later abandoned at 1-1.

Ndicka was conscious but visibly in pain, rubbing his chest with his right hand as the medical team rushed towards him. He was discharged from the hospital a day after the incident, which occurred on April 14.

‘Ndicka underwent a series of cardiologic and third level pulmonary tests,’ Roma said in a statement.

‘Tests conducted confirmed the absence of cardiac pathologies and the healing of the minimal pneumothorax that occurred during the match.

Ndicka collapsed on the pitch against Udinese but has now been cleared to resume playing

Ndicka was discharged from the hospital a day after the incident, which occurred on April 14

‘The player is therefore fit for resuming sports activity that will be monitored in the following days.’

Roma, fifth in the Italian top flight with six games to go, travel to Napoli on Sunday.

Roma manager Daniele de Rossi previously allayed fears Ndicka had suffered cardiac issues and revealed the cause of the Ivory Coast centre-back’s problems.

‘A collapsed lung is a painful thing but luckily, if we can say that, he’s not suffering from what we feared,’ De Rossi said.

Ndicka spent one night in hospital under observation before being allowed to return to Rome from Udine, with tests revealing no sign of cardiac issues.

The match – which was 1-1 when suspended following consultation between referee Luca Pairetto and the two benches – will have to be completed

The match – which was 1-1 when suspended following consultation between referee Luca Pairetto and the two benches – will have to be completed.

The Roma squad went to visit Ndicka in hospital prior to his discharge, with a statement released on Sunday night confirming he was ‘feeling better and is in good spirits’.

Ivory Coast star Ndicka had started the game at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, with former Watford midfielder Roberto Pereyra giving the hosts the lead, before Romelu Lukaku equalised. 

Having collapsed to the ground, Ndicka had raised his thumb as he was carried off down the tunnel on a stretcher.