McCarthy was hospitalised following a head clash in the Diesels’ game against Cootamundra on Sunday.

Despite a positive initial prognosis, doctors placed him in an induced coma to give his brain time to heal.

He has since awoken and was released from hospital on Monday night, however, he faces a lengthy recovery.

Junee captain-coach Matt Hands, who is also McCarthy’s cousin, said it was a nervous wait for family and the club after McCarthy was placed in the coma.

“It was a long evening (on Sunday) waiting to see how he was going to wake up,” Hands said.

“It puts it all back into perspective for you, really.

“It is just a game and it is the last sort of thing you want to see happen, especially of that severity.”

McCarthy has been ordered to rest for the next month before doctors reassess his injury.

No time frame has been determined for a return for football, with more to be known after his reassessment. 

“He will be on the sidelines footy-wise for a fair while,” Hands said.

“Footy at the moment is the least of the concerns.

“We will just play that one by ear.

“I have no idea when he will come back or if he will come back this year.

“It might be a big loss for us, but the main thing is his health.”

The third-placed Diesels have the bye this weekend before travelling to tackle Tumbarumba on May 29.​