Tahith Chong is ‘a bit sure but fine’ after he collapsed on the pitch during Luton Town’s Championship clash with Plymouth Argyle, Rob Edwards has revealed.
Chong, who left Manchester United permanently in 2022, has been a key part of Edwards’ side this season after their relegation from the Premier League.
He’s started in all seven Championship fixtures so far this season, but was forced off the field on Friday evening against Plymouth early due to a heavy collision.
The incident happened just before half-time with Chong laying motionless on the floor and medics rushing to his aid.
Tahith Chong was able to walk off the field
PA
A stretcher was brought onto the pitch, but Chong was able to walk back to the dressing room on his own accord.
The attacking midfielder was seen sporting a large bump on his head before he was replaced during the interval.
But Edwards has given a positive update on Chong’s wellbeing after the knock, insisting the Luton star is ‘fine’.
“He’s up and about and fine,” Edwards said.
“So we’ll see the extent of it concussion wise. He was a bit sore but he’s fine.”
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) came under scrutiny earlier this year when they rejected calls for a trial run of temporary concussion substitutions.
Teams are now allowed to make permanent concussion substitutions, but the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) could not understand why temporary changes were not approved.
A PFA spokesperson said: “While it’s a positive step that additional concussion substitutions are now being introduced, it’s extremely disappointing that IFAB are still unwilling to let leagues trial temporary concussions subs, as they are requesting.
Rob Edwards said Tahith Chong is feeling fine
PA
“Many leagues, unions and — importantly — club medics are aligned in the view that temporary substitutions would be a positive step for player welfare and concussion protocols.
“It is a problem if IFAB, as the body that sets the rules, are seen as standing in the way of that.”
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Tahith Chong has been a key part of Rob Edwards’ side
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FIFA president Gianna Infantino made it clear earlier this year what he thought about the idea of temporary substitutions.
“We will not introduce temporary concussion subs, because we care about the health of the players,” he said.
“If you want to care about the health of the player, then the player [goes] out and another player comes in, and that’s the end of it. All the rest is not protecting the heads of players, just making some PR announcements.”