Shaka Hislop vows to 'listen to the doctors' after worrying collapse on live TV

Hislop's collegue, Dan Thomas, immediately raised the alarm and it was quickly established the 54-year-old was conscious.

Now, speaking on Twitter, the Trinidad and Tobago hero has thanked fans for their support - while also vowing to 'listen to the doctors' following the terrifying ordeal.

"That was awkward," said the former West Ham, Portsmouth and Newcastle star.

"What a 24 hours this has been. Every so often life gives you a moment to pause and this was mine."

He added: "My response now has to be to seek out the best medical opinion I can get and listen to what my doctors have to say.

"There is so much I have to be thankful for - wife, children, family, loved ones, friends, people I have shared space with over the years and have lost touch with for whatever reason and who have reached out either directly or indirectly - thank you."

Hislop also praised Thomas for his quick thinking.

"I would like to say thanks to Dan and the ESPN family - the camera operators, the medical staff at the Rose Bowl who all responded in the way they did and afforded me the care that I got. Thank you," he stated.

"I know now that even when we argue and disagree, I have the fullest support of each and every one of you.

"And I am looking forward to getting back and doing what I enjoy doing most."

One person who knows Hislop, having played alongside the former goalkeeper, is Dean Ashton.

The duo were team-mates at West Ham.

And Asthon, speaking to Champions UK Plc, admitted he was concerned by his team-mate's collapse.

“It is obviously very worrying and upsetting to see Shaka collapse live on telly," he said.

"It is something you wouldn’t wish on anyone.

"From the few things I’ve seen, he seems like he’s in a stable condition, which is great to hear.

“Shaka was just so laid back, and such a character within the squad. I was very young when I was at West Ham and he was getting towards the end of his career, so he had plenty of wise words for me but nothing too heavy as he wasn’t that type of person.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Novak Djokovic accused of 'punching' former tennis star - 'They broke rackets'
• Saudi Pro League side breaks rank with staggering £52m offer to Russia
• Kylian Mbappe to Saudi Arabia is a test of mentality and money

“His personality comes across on television as relaxed so it’s always worrying to see someone you know in that position.

"I just wish him the absolute best in terms of recovery and in terms of getting the right treatment.”

In the aftermath of the incident, Thomas said Hislop was 'a bit embarrassed'.

"He's conscious, he's talking, I think he's a little bit embarrassed about it all," he said.

"He's apologised profusely, not a man who likes people to make a fuss of him."

Ashton is among a string of retired pros - including Alan McInally, Paul Dickov and Don Goodman - who will be competing in the Farmfoods British Par 3 near Coventry.

To apply for free tickets, visit www.britishpar3.com