Jan Vertonghen faces D-Day to determine if he suffered concussion in Champions League defeat by Ajax
- Jan Vertonghen suffered head injury in Tottenham’s Champions League defeat
- Defender had to leave the pitch against Ajax amid fears he suffered concussion
- He will now see a neurologist to determine the extent of the head injury
Tottenham centre back Jan Vertonghen will see a neurologist on Thursday to determine whether he suffered concussion against Ajax on Tuesday night.
The Belgian had a series of cerebral tests on Wednesday after taking a sickening blow to the head in the Champions League loss on Tuesday.
As was the case after the incident, Vertonghen was given the all-clear on Wednesday— an indication the defender did not suffer concussion.
Jan Vertonghen will be tested for concussion on Thursday after a nasty clash against Ajax
But he will see a specialist to provide a clearer sign of whether he is suffering from delayed concussion, which can often appear days after the incident.
If Vertonghen is cleared again it would, in theory, pave the way for him to play again this season.
It is understood he will not play against Bournemouth on Saturday and Tottenham staff already have serious reservations about giving the all-clear for him to play in next week’s second leg in Amsterdam.
Keeper Hugo Lloris lost consciousness against Everton in 2013 but was allowed to play on
Tottenham were criticised for allowing Hugo Lloris to play on against Everton in 2013 after the keeper momentarily lost consciousness.
Vertonghen is said to have felt much better on Tuesday, although he did feel pain in his nose which required two stitches after his three-way collision with team-mate Toby Alderweireld and Ajax keeper Andre Onana.
Tottenham medics studied various camera angles of the incident and established that Vertonghen did not lose consciousness.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, after consulting his medics, allowed Vertonghen to return to the field but it soon became apparent he couldn’t continue.
Mauricio Pochettino put an arm around Vertonghen as he hobbled to the sidelines
Vertonghen was allowed to stay at the stadium for the duration of the game and wasn’t taken immediately to hospital. He was walking freely and allowed to travel home with his family after the match — however, it is understood his partner had to drive him home.
In a statement on Wednesday, Spurs insisted their medical team strictly followed Football Association concussion guidelines, claiming initial tests deemed him fit to return to the field of play.
A UEFA statement read: ‘Based on the reports of UEFA’s officials at the match, the concussion procedure was respected.’