Everton defender Cuco Martina discharged from hospital and able to fly home with team-mates after being carried off in a neck brace following awkward fall in Lyon defeat

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Everton defender Cuco Martina was given the all clear on Thursday night after a sickening clash with Maxwel Cornet left him in a neck brace and taken off on a stretcher.

Martina fell awkwardly in the incident on the stroke of half-time at the Groupama Stadium after challenging for a header, falling onto his opponent's back and then landing on his own. 

The left-back jumped up for a header and then fell onto his opponent's back before eventually landing awkwardly on his own back.

Everton defender Cuco Martina suffered a potentially serious injury against Lyon

The left-back jumped high to win the ball in the air ahead of Maxwel Cornet

But as he fell back down to earth Martina's back landed on top of his opponent

After being taken to hospital he was later discharged and allowed to fly back to Merseyside with his team-mates

The Curacao international was left sprawled on the floor and did not appear to move during the near seven-and-a-half minute delay that then followed as he received treatment. 

Muhamed Besic came on to replace the summer signing from Southampton in the closing stages of the first half at the Stade de Lyon. 

The Toffees crashed to a 3-0 defeat and were sent packing out of the Europa League as they crumbled in the second-half.

He then eventually landed on the ground square on his back and did not appear to move

Martina received extensive treatment from Everton's medical team after the incident

Morgan Schneiderlin saw red as Bertrand Traore, Houssem Aouar and Memphis Depay gave the home side all three points. 

Lyon won 2-1 at Goodison Park a fortnight ago in Ronald Koeman's penultimate game in charge before he was sacked after a 5-2 defeat by Arsenal at home.

David Unsworth has since taken temporary charge, losing all three games in charge against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, at Leicester in the Premier League and in Lyon on Thursday night.

Everton find themselves in the bottom three of the table with a crucial clash with Watford awaiting at home on Sunday.

Play was stopped for nearly seven-and-a-half minutes as Martina was cared for by physios

The Curacao international left the field on a stretcher with his head in a neck brace