Derby defender Jay McEveley has revealed how routine cheekbone surgery almost had tragic consequences.

A fortnight ago McEveley went under the knife to correct the facial injury he sustained during the Rams' Coca-Cola Championship defeat at Middlesbrough, but during the operation his heart stopped and doctors fought for two minutes to resuscitate the 24-year-old.

McEveley is not expected to suffer any long-term heart problems following the scare but admits the ordeal has changed his perspective on life.

Recalling the events of October 22, he said: "I've had operations under general anaesthetic before and I thought this would just be another routine procedure, but it didn't go according to plan. My heart decided to stop when I was on the operating table.

"Obviously, I didn't realise until I woke up in intensive care when I was wired to machines that were monitoring me and my heart. I didn't really know where I was at first and my chest was hurting a bit but then the doctors explained to me what had happened.

"I was told my heart had stopped for two minutes. When I was told it was pure shock. I couldn't believe it. It was so surreal. I don't know if it was a reaction to the anaesthetic, but I've had five operations now and never had anything like that," he added.