BLOODIED batsman Jamie Keating suffered a sickening blow to the eye last night as the Orange Caps warmed up before the big King of The Road contest.

The Poet was lost for words when he deflected a vicious ball into his head off the bowling of newboy Tim Walker at the weekly practice session.

Stunned staff at the Latchmere Centre in Burns Road, Battersea, rushed to his aid as blood streamed down his face.

Stricken Jamie was then taken to A&E at the nearby Chelsea & Westminster Hospital across the Thames in Fulham for stitches.

A club insider said: “The competition was fierce out there in the run up to the King of The Road and Jamie took the brunt of it.

“Everyone wanted to get one over on each other to prove they’re in the running. There were rumours people were trying to bump people off before the contest but I think that’s unlikely.”

Jamie – who got cut above his eye – was pictured today showing off his wound after being released from hospital.

But the full horror was missed by club photographer Amir Alipour-Mehraban – who turned up late.