OXFORD UNITED manager Des Buckingham was given medical attention last night following the club’s draw at home to Derby.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s equaliser cancelled out Tottenham loanee Dane Scarlett‘s 12th minute opener – but the game was overshadowed by concerns for the home side’s manager.
Buckingham’s assistant Craig Short said after the game: “He was feeling dizzy in the last half an hour and kept walking from pitch side to the dugout.
“He spent some time holding onto the rails by the dugout talking to the club doctor and told me he could just about shake hands at the end.”
He added: “The doctor is treating him now and we feel it is probably best that he gets off home as quickly as possible.
“The players were all a bit shocked and upset when we told them.”
Oxford made it five consecutive draws in the Championship with Tuesday night’s stalemate.
Buckingham guided The U’s to promotion from League One last season, toppling Bolton Wanderers in the play-off final at Wembley.
They have started the Championship season in impressive form, currently sitting in 10th and in a six-game unbeaten run.
Fellow promoted side Derby County sit just behind them in 12th, while last year’s League One title winners Portsmouth are footing up the table with just one win from their opening 11 games, losing 2-0 at Cardiff in a relegation six-pointer.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Leeds pulled level with table-toppers Sunderland by beating Watford at Elland Road.
Every other game in the second tier finished with honours even on Tuesday night – Preston drawing with Norwich, Sheffield Wednesday being held to a goalless draw by Swansea, and QPR vs Coventry also finishing level.
