England and Chelsea captain John Terry escaped serious injury after being knocked out when he was accidentally kicked in the face by Arsenal's Abou Diaby during the League Cup final on Sunday.

With the score 1-1 in the 56th minute, the central defender stooped to get his head to a loose ball in the Arsenal area and his face took the full force of Diaby's attempted clearance.

He was motionless for several minutes while medical staff from both sides treated him.

Terry, who played in the final after a surprise recovery from a twisted ankle suffered in Wednesday's Champions League 1-1 draw with Porto, was fitted with a neck brace and oxygen mask and carried carefully from the pitch.

He was taken to hospital for tests but was able to return to the Millennium Stadium little more than an hour later -- still in his kit -- where he joined his team mates celebrating the 2-1 victory secured by two Didier Drogba goals.

Diaby said he was shaken by the incident, saying: "I was frightened. I wanted to clear the ball, he put his head there, and that's what happened.

"I haven't seen him yet but I want to see him to talk about it...and I'm glad he's alright."

Terry's fellow defender Wayne Bridge told reporters: "It looked very bad, and a few people were a bit emotional.

"I'm just buzzing that he was able to walk back into the changing room at the end. That's JT all over. He'll battle through anything... He's Mr. Chelsea."