Andros Townsend Unhurt After Being Run Over by Pitch Roller in Thailand

The former England winger was trapped under the machine during a half-time warm-up but freed himself with teammates' help and later played in PT Prachuap's 3-0 win.

Andros Townsend has described the frightening moment a pitch roller rolled over him before a Thai League 1 match on Saturday. The former England international, now with PT Prachuap, was going through a half-time warm-up when a staff member lost control of the machine. His left leg became trapped beneath it.

Speaking on Piers Morgan's Football Uncensored, Townsend said he initially believed the situation was far worse. The 35-year-old explained that the roller pressed against his left ankle and left knee, both of which have undergone surgery in the past, leaving him convinced one of the joints would give way.

He said he managed to wedge his left arm under the machine to ease the pressure, and teammates then lifted it enough for him to pull free. He finished the warm-up to his teammates' surprise and later came on as a substitute as PT Prachuap defeated Pattani 3-0. He said he came away with only minor bumps and bruises.

Townsend, whose previous clubs include Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Luton, added that he found it strange to see rollers working pitchside in the first place. He also said that despite his injury history, being crushed by a roller was not going to keep him off the pitch.