Manly forward Joel Thompson is recovering in hospital after suffering a nasty fall while partying with friends during the long weekend.

Thompson is in a stable condition after sustaining a facial injury and severe concussion when he fell down a hill and smashed his head into rocks while drinking with friends on Sunday night on the Central Coast.

The 31-year-old was airlifted to hospital and had a gash on his head stapled together.

Manly issued a brief statement on Wednesday saying Thompson was expected to be released from hospital later in the week.

Thompson posted a photo on social media of himself in a neck brace, saying he had been involved in a “real bad accident”.

“Big lesson learnt around drinking and partying… Thinking of you all,” he said in the Instagram post.

He said in an interview the incident was a “massive wake-up call”.

“I didn’t think I’d survive. But I’ve come through it,” he told the Daily Telegraph.

“I’m in survival mode and it’s been a mess but I am OK.”

Thompson made 22 appearances for the Sea Eagles this season, scoring seven tries.