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Sean Dyche says decision on head injuries might be taken out of players' hands

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Sean Dyche admits medical experts could be given the direction to make the final decision on whether a player is able to remain on the pitch after sustaining a head injury.

Sean Dyche believes there is no easy and immediate solution regarding concussion in football after concerns were raised over the current protocols in the game.

Jan Vertonghen was forced off the field after suffering a head injury during Tottenham's Champions League semi-final defeat against Ajax on Tuesday, having been medically cleared to continue.

Newcastle defender Fabian Schar played the full 90 minutes of Switzerland's European Qualifier against Georgia in March, despite being concussed after clashing heads.

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Peter McCabe, chief executive of brain injury charity Headway believes timeouts and independent doctors are needed to handle concussions in football

Brain injury charity Headway called for football's authorities to urgently review concussion protocols within the sport in order to assist medical staff in the assessment of players following head injuries.

"There has been some movement in it in the last couple of seasons - but I think they will look at who decides what. It is tough, though, as we are human beings," Dyche said.

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Consultant neurosurgeon Mr Peter Hamlyn explains signs of concussion and the procedure for safely dealing with footballers when head injuries occur.

"You can feel right and not be right and feel wrong and actually be better than you thought.

"Sometimes it does go into the players' hands slightly but I presume they are working on different methods of checking, that are out of your control but they do decide whether you are in a situation to carry on or not.

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"The more they define those ways then I think that would be very helpful because players might make a bullish decision on being proud and wanting to do well when it is not the right decision to make.

The more they define those ways then I think that would be very helpful because players might make a bullish decision on being proud and wanting to do well when it is not the right decision to make.
Sean Dyche

"I think that is what they are trying to define. It is not as easy as everyone thinks."

FIFA, UEFA and the FA all adopt different approaches to dealing with cases of head injuries.

"The bigger picture is I am sure they will make sense of the different ways of working and probably it may well end with the decision being out of the players' hands. But then it is complicated," he added.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino Jan Vertonghen off the pitch
Image: Jan Vertonghen left the field after sustaining a head injury against Ajax

"Because when you are playing and you want to play, do well, achieve, have that drive, and if you didn't have that you wouldn't get anywhere.

"But of course there are medical moments when people who are much more qualified than myself can make that decision for you. I think it will find its way and the right people will make good decisions."

'Most rewarding season in charge'

Burnley, who face Everton on Friday - live on Sky Sports Premier League - admits this season ranks as one of his "best achievements" after the Clarets recovered from a difficult start to the season to ensure safety prior to Sunday's narrow defeat to Manchester City.

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Highlights from Burnley's 1-0 win against Manchester City in the Premier League

"It has been a tough season. A very tough season. A very rewarding season actually for me as the manager, for my staff and for my players," Dyche said.

"Things were not right obviously, results-wise particularly up until the turn. There was a lot going on.

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"But to come through that and have the clarity, work and belief in what we do and come through with the points we have got on in the second half of the season is very pleasing for me as a manager.

"Strangely, people wouldn't think it, this is one of my best achievements to have stayed true to my beliefs, the belief of the staff and players and keep working at what we do to make sure we turn things around.

"The players deserve a massive amount of credit for that."

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