A FORMER Ipswich town player has made a dash back to his home town after his brother was seriously injured in an horrific crash.Darryl Knights has travelled back to Ipswich from his duties with Yeovil Town FC to be with his family as his brother, Chantry High pupil Kyle Knights, remained seriously ill in hospital.

A FORMER Ipswich town player has made a dash back to his home town after his brother was seriously injured in an horrific crash.

Darryl Knights has travelled back to Ipswich from his duties with Yeovil Town FC to be with his family as his brother, Chantry High pupil Kyle Knights, remained seriously ill in hospital.

The 16-year-old was injured along with another teenager in a serious accident at the junction of Orford Street and Anglesea Road just before 6pm on Tuesday.

The teenagers' mopeds are thought to have been in collision with a blue Ford Mondeo.

Kyle Knights, of the Pinebrook area of Ipswich, suffered severe head injuries in the crash and after initially being taken to Ipswich Hospital he was transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.

The other moped rider, also thought to be 16, regained consciousness after the crash and was discharged from hospital yesterday.

Today Yeovil Town said the club was aware of the accident involving their striker's brother and it had given him compassionate leave to return to Ipswich to be with his family.

Adrian Hopper, the club's media manager, said club manager Russell Slade told him about the accident yesterday.

He said: “I know the manager is aware of the situation. The last I heard Darryl had gone back up to Ipswich to be with his family.”

Mr Hopper described 19-year-old Darryl Knights as a “popular lad” and said the entire club was thinking of him and his family.

He said: “I'm sure everyone at the club wishes Darryl and his family all the best and hope that his brother makes a full recovery.”

Yeovil is due to play Northampton on Saturday in the Coca-Cola Championship League. Mr Hopper said it was not clear how long Darryl Knights would be back in Ipswich and whether he would miss any games.

He is considered by the club on its website as “as a promising forward”. He was signed by Yeovil from Ipswich Town in July 2007 and impressed with his performances for the reserves.

He joined Ipswich Town straight from Chantry High and went through the Youth Academy at Portman Road.

He progressed to playing for the reserves and eventually made his first team debut at the age of sixteen against Sunderland in November 2004.

He represented his country at youth and Under 17 levels and signed professional forms with the Tractor Boys in May 2005.

The 30-year-old Ipswich man who was the driver of the Ford Mondeo was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after the accident.

Anyone who saw what happened should contact Sgt Paul Smith at Martlesham road policing unit on 01473 613500.

Do you know either of the moped riders injured in yesterday's crash? Do you want to send a message of support to their families? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.