Emmet Bolton says he hopeful of playing in tomorrow's second Test against Australia in the Gold Coast, despite having been stretchered off last week in Melbourne.

The Kildare defender said he had numbness in his arms and legs after shipping an accidental blow to his neck which resulted in him having to brought to hospital, where it was confirmed that no concussion was suffered.

He told the Irish Daily Star of in incident: "I just remember that the ball broke off the full-forward line and it was there on the ground. Eamonn Callaghan was about 10 yards outside me so I said that I'd dive on the ground and box it out to him.

"The man came in down on top of me then and I remember all the lads were around me. I didn't black out of anything, it was just a bang and I was lying on my back with the doctors and physios around me. I had numbness in my arms and me legs so I knew there was something up.

"You'd be a bit worried when your arms and legs are numb. I've had a few injuries before and never anything like that. It was bang in the neck so I didn't know what it was. I was hanging around for eight or nine hours in the hospital waiting for a CT scan.

"In fairness they took fierce good care of me, but it took a long time for the scan. I got an MRI done then as well and got the all clear. There was no concussion - it was more my neck."

If Anthony Tohill deems Bolton unfit to play tomorrow at the Metricon Stadium, he is likely to be replaced by Donegal All Star Karl Lacey.