ANDY Lonergan has been taken to hospital for checks on a head and chest injury after being carried off during the 4-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest.

The keeper was hurt in a collision with Dexter Blackstock midway through the second half at the City Ground and will certainly miss “a few weeks” of football, according to Whites boss Neil Lennon.

He was taken from the ground immediately to a local hospital for further medical checks.

But his wife Jennifer reassured people that his injuries were not serious, tweeting earlier this evening: "Just heard Andrews CT scan on his head & neck is fine! He is just waiting to be reassessed by doctors."

Ream was also carried off in the first half with what is understood to be a back problem suffered after colliding with the post.

The defender had suffered a similar issue in last weekend’s defeat against Watford and it is thought he has travelled back with the squad, with a view to having medical attention back in the North West.

“Tim had a back problem last week and got a real bang on it," Lennon explained. "Tim being Tim would have carried on if he could.

“Andy has got some concussion. He got a bang on his chest and he’s away to hospital."

Lennon also confirmed he will be without Filip Twardzik on Tuesday night at Middlesbrough, with the Czech youngster suffering from a thigh injury which forced his removal at half time.

Lennon will also miss skipper Matt Mills, who was sent off just two minutes into the second half.