When can Gareth Taylor play again?

Last updated : 20 November 2002 By Tony Scholes

He took no further part in the game, was replaced by Brad Maylett, and a short time afterwards was walked past the away fans to a waiting ambulance unaware that he was getting a standing ovation.

The injury has cost him a trip to Azerbaijan with Wales this week and Stan has said that he cannot play at all for 14 days but will be OK for our game at Watford a week on Saturday. The Watford game though comes on the 14th day and if that were the case he would be out for that one too.

Last season, ironically against Norwich our opponents on Saturday, Glen Little received a similar injury (see pictures) but he was knocked out cold even before he hit the ground. At the time we were told he would be out for 14 days but that he would be able to play against Preston two weeks later simply because the Preston game was on the Sunday.

So confused we have contacted the Football Association and the Football League and both have confirmed that there is no rule laid down by themselves regarding this type of injury although the FA did say that any such player would need to get clearance from a doctor before he could play again.

It has been suggested though that there could be a guideline which keeps a player suffering concussion out for 7 days and a player knocked unconscious out for 14 days. If that is the case then Taylor, having suffered concussion, will be out for just 7 days and will miss the home game against Norwich only.

One thing for certain though was the fact that he was missed badly on Saturday at Rotherham and hopefully he will be back, fully fit, as soon as possible.