September 12 2016

Pape Souare (Photo: Ramzi Musallam)

Crystal Palace defender Pape Souare faces months on the sidelines after breaking his leg in a motorway crash.

The left-back suffered a collision on the M4 near Heathrow Airport on Sunday and had to be cut from the wreckage of his Mercedes G63 by firemen before being airlifted to hospital.

"He's not in a good way in terms of football; I think he's broken his leg so maybe not so good but thankfully he looks sound other than that, just a bit bashed up," said Palace manager Alan Pardew.

"We'll have to look after him and get him back as quick as we can because he's a great lad and it's a big loss. It is a blow but these things happen, and more importantly it's not more than it could have been."

Photos accident : Comment les pompiers anglais ont sorti Pape Ndiaye Souaré de sa Mercedes https://t.co/SxbruDgs4p pic.twitter.com/lgsR3vqN8B

— senegal7 (@senegal7com) September 12, 2016

A club spokesman confirmed: "Crystal Palace Football Club regret to confirm that Pape Souare was yesterday involved in a car accident and taken to hospital in London.

"The player has sustained injuries to his thigh and jaw bone and will remain in hospital whilst he receives treatment.

"The club are liaising closely with the hospital on his progress and we obviously wish him a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with Pape and his family at this time."