Derby captain Richard Keogh was LEFT UNCONSCIOUS in the back of team-mate's crumpled Range Rover – Daily Mail, Daily Mail

Richard Keogh was left unconscious at the scene of the crash that has left him with a career-threatening knee injury before the emergency services came to his rescue.

Extraordinary, fresh claims have emerged about the build-up to the horror smash that ended with Derby players Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett also charged with drink driving, which has been the talk of football since Tuesday late-night incident.

Derby and Republic of Ireland captain Keogh, 33, was a backseat passenger in Lawrence’s Range Rover and suffered an ACL injury as a result of the collision.

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Lawrence, Bennett, and Keogh were returning home from a heavy drinking session that followed a day of bowling and a team-bonding dinner.

In clips uploaded on th e Snapchat account of midfielder Tom Huddlestone, who will replace Keogh as skipper, Bennett had been filmed downing drinks in a pub, at one stage asleep and, in other clips, vomiting in a urinal and insisting ‘I’ve had more than three’

Some of Derby’s players decided to drive themselves home having ‘ignored the opportunity to be driven home using cars laid on by the club. ‘

Keogh was knocked out during the crash, according to sources close to Derby, and it was only when medics attended the scene that he was discovered in the back of one of the vehicles.

Forwards Bennett, 23, and Lawrence, 25, were arrested and charged following the crash involving the Range Rover, which was pictured crumpled up after careering into a street light , and a Mercedes GLC.

The pair have been freed on bail and are due to return to Southern Derbyshire magistrates court on October 15.

Derby said in a statement: ‘We cannot, and do not, condone the actions of a small group of players on Tuesday evening. The players were out on a team-building dinner with staff.

‘While the majority of them acted responsibly and left at around 8pm and were not involved, a small group, including team captain Richard Keogh, continued drinking into the night.

‘They should have known when to stop. They also ignored the opportunity to be driven home using cars laid on by the club, and chose to stay out.

‘As a result of an alcohol -related incident, Richard Keogh has sustained a serious knee injury that will prevent him from playing until the end of the season.

‘The players involved in the incident on Tuesday evening will be subject to a rigorous internal investigation under the club’s code of conduct and disciplinary procedures, but over and above any punishment they receive we will be expecting them to become involved with the excellent work the Community Trust does helping the communities we serve.

‘We have been very clear about our attitude towards alcohol and the players know that at certain and specific times of the season they are permitted a drink together as a group in a controlled environment.

‘Those involved in Tuesday’s incident know they will pay a heavy price for their actions, but also that we will support them with their rehabilitation back into the squad and team.

‘We will be using this situation to redouble our efforts in highlighting the dangers posed by alcohol. We would also like to thank the emergency services for their swift help. ‘