Ross Barkley suffered a suspected broken nose in Luton’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace which left him a bloody mess.
The incident occurred in the sixth minute at Selhurst Park where the 30-year-old was accidentally caught in the face by Joel Ward.
Barkley received a clattering to the face as Ward looked to clear away a cross, which required medical attention.
Blood poured down the face of the ex-Chelsea midfielder, who eventually made his way to the sidelines with cotton buds up both of his nostrils.
He was eventually deemed fit enough to return to action, where he changed into a numberless shirt.
But just one minute after getting back on the pitch, the Hatters conceded through Jean-Philippe Mateta’s 11th minute strike.
A poor back pass from Alfie Doughty was latched onto by Daniel Munoz, who cut it back for the Frenchman to apply the clinical finish.
Despite being under pressure for the majority of the game, Luton secured a vital point in their quest to stay up thanks to Cauley Woodrow’s last-gasp header.
While Luton may be in the relegation zone, Barkley has impressed having returned to Britain last summer.
Following a year spent in France with Nice, the former Everton maestro made the move to Kenilworth Road on a free transfer.
And having chipped in with three goals and five assists in all competitions, it has led to talk he could return to Gareth Southgate‘s England squad.
talkSPORT pundit Jermaine Pennant has called on Barkley to be selected ahead of Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips.
He said: “I don’t want to see Henderson there, I don’t want to see Phillips.
“We know what they are. ‘Yes, throw them in the squad,’ I’d rather see [Declan] Rice, Barkley and [Jude] Bellingham.”
Pennant added: “It’s a friendly, if he comes on and produces the goods… they like that little defensive holding midfielder and I think he’s the best one out of what we’ve been seeing so far.
“He’s been amazing for Luton, better than Henderson, better than Phillips. Rice, Barkley, Bellingham.”
The ex-Liverpool man continued: “If you’re talking about [Kobbie] Mainoo coming in, then why not Ross Barkley?
“He’s played the full season now or almost and he’s been a top performer, he’s been fantastic.
“I’m not saying play Barkley instead of [Phil] Foden, Foden will be in that team as well.
“But we know that Gareth Southgate likes two defensive minded players there.
“So alongside Rice I’m saying Ross Barkley would be a great pick, rather than a Kalvin Phillips or a Jordan Henderson.”