Andros Townsend hit by pitch roller in Thailand, then plays on in 3-0 win

Former England winger Andros Townsend was knocked over by a motorised pitch roller while warming up in Thailand — and then played in the same match.

Townsend, who plays for PT Prachuap in Thai League 1, Thailand's top division, was with his teammates warming up at half-time of the away game at Pattani on 20 September when a staff member lost control of the heavy roller, according to Reuters.

Footage of the moment shows the machine veering towards the group. Townsend's left leg was briefly trapped underneath it before others pulled the roller back.

He walked away unhurt. That is the remarkable part of this story. Medics checked him over and he was able to continue with the matchday squad.

Prachuap went on to win the game 3-0. Townsend came off the bench — brought on as a substitute — late in the second half to complete a very strange evening, according to the BBC.

Townsend won 13 caps for England, 13 appearances for the national team. He made his name in England with Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Luton before moving to Thailand.

Afterwards he saw the funny side. He joked on Instagram that "Stoke away wasn't so bad after all", a nod to the cold, tough away days English players love to talk about.

What makes this stand out is how quickly shock turned to relief. One minute teammates were rushing to lift a machine off him. The next he was jogging down the touchline, ready to play.