Soccer:England defender Chris Smalling was taken to hospital with a deep cut after a clash of heads in the 3-2 friendly defeat to the Netherlands at Wembley.

The Manchester United star collided with Klaas Jan Huntelaar as the Dutchman headed his side’s second goal. The game was delayed for several minutes as the Manchester United defender was tken off on a stretcher.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard came off as a precaution with a tight hamstring. England caretaker coach Stauart Pearce admitted: “Chris Smalling has a really bad gash on his head and went to hospital. I spoke with him. Our thoughts are with him and I am hoping that he will be fine.

“Gerrard was just feeling a little bit tight so we took him off as a ‘precautionary’ (measure), on the grounds we were only going to play him for 45 minutes anyway. Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge, who replaced Gerrard on 33 minutes, suffered a swollen toe which forced him off minutes before the end.

While Smalling was stretchered off, Schalke 04 striker Huntelaar walked off holding a bandage to his face but was also taken to hospital. “Huntelaar has gone to hospital because we think he has some damage there, but we don’t know for sure,” said Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk. “He looked better in the dressing room than on the pitch, but we have decided to have him checked out.”