AFTER awaking from an induced coma, Sydney United 58 midfielder Nick Stavroulakis’s first words were “did we win”, according to head coach Mark Rudan.

Socceroo Mark Milligan was one of Stavroulakis’s friends and family who had been at his bedside through the ordeal.

Stavroulakis fell unconscious shortly after sustaining a knock to the head during his side’s FFA Cup win over APIA Leichhardt on Wednesday.

media_camera Tim Cahill and Nick Stavroulakis

After undergoing surgery he was placed in an induced coma.

Rudan was the first to announce that Stavroulakis’ condition was improving.

He tweeted: “Nick awake from coma. His first words ‘Did we win?’ & I’m playing this weekend. The kid is an absolute warrior.”

Rudan revealed that Stavroulakis’s good friend and Melbourne Victory captain Milligan flew from Melbourne to be by his bedside upon hearing the news.

“They’ve been best mates for a long time. To see Millsy (Milligan) travel from Melbourne tells you a little about him but also Nick too,” Rudan told foxsports.com.au.

Rudan also believes the incident will help form an even stronger bond between his players.

“Things like this bring not just the team but the whole club together. You could see the inspiration from the players when they finished the game without Nick. They drew something extra for him,” he said.

“We’re tight-knit anyway but this will make us closer.”

The club released a statement confirming the news and thanking fans for their well wishes.

“Nick is now awake, in good spirits and mostly concerned about last night’s result,” the statement said.

“He is a strong man and will make a full recovery.

“The Stavroulakis family would like to thank the entire Football Family who have rallied behind them and Nick, in particular over the past 18 hours.

“It really goes to show the special bond that exists within the community.”