Taylor on the mend

West Ham midfielder Matthew Taylor is making a good recovery after being knocked unconscious at Stoke on Saturday.

The 31-year-old was caught in the face by Peter Crouch's boot as the striker attempted an overhead kick while Taylor was aiming to head clear. Taylor was treated quickly by medical staff on the pitch at the Britannia Stadium, and was able to travel back home with the West Ham club doctor before being assessed again after a period of rest.

"I am not too bad. My head is fine and I am feeling a lot better," Taylor told the club's official website, www.whufc.com

"It is the first time I have been knocked out in my career, or in my life for that matter, that I can recall.

"If it was going to happen anywhere, then on a football pitch is not a bad place because of all the medical staff being there.

"I don't have any recollection of heading the ball. My only memory I have is the ball going over my head [from the corner] and following my runner.

"I then remember waking up in their treatment room on the treatment table. I don't have any other memory. I don't remember walking off or anything, which was a bit scary."

Taylor added: "It was just one of those things and he clearly didn't mean to do it. There was no malice on his behalf.

"I know Crouchy and played for England Under-21s with him and he came to see me afterwards, but I'd already left for home with the doctor.

"There was no malice and you could see that, as soon as it happened, he held his hands up and was very apologetic so I don't hold any grudges. It's just one of those things."