• Premier League

Courtois given all clear at hospital

Chelsea have confirmed that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been given the all clear after undergoing tests on a head injury at hospital.

Courtois appeared to be concussed after colliding with Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez in the first half of Chelsea's 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Having initially been allowed to carry on by Chelsea's medical director, Courtois eventually came off after 14 minutes to be replaced by Petr Cech, with television images showing blood coming from his ear.

A statement released on Chelsea's official website said Courtois underwent "precautionary" tests and was treated for a minor cut to his ear, before being released from hospital last night.

it also said that Courtois is expected to report for international duty with Belgium for their Euro 2016 qualifiers later this week.

Courtois took to Twitter on Monday afternoon to thank fans for their support:

Thanks for all the messages! I'm already feeling better. Now I'm resting to be recovered and back on the pitch soon. Great victory yesterday— Thibaut Courtois (@thibautcourtois) October 6, 2014

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been criticised by brain injury charity Headway over their handling of the incident.

Under the Premier League's newly-introduced Concussion Protocol, club doctors have the final say on substitutions relating to head injuries but it is recommended that any player who loses consciousness should be taken off immediately.

Courtois was allowed to carry on playing after less than a minute of deliberation by Dr Paco Biosca, a call that has been defended by Jose Mourinho.

However, Headway chief executive Peter McCabe has said it was "hard to understand how a concussion was not suspected".

McCabe added in a statement: "The new rules introduced this season were designed to ensure no risks to players' health were taken.

"They clearly state that 'If there is any suspicion of the player having sustained a concussion, they must be removed from the field of play, and not allowed to return'.

"Bleeding from one or both ears is one of the symptoms that requires an immediate visit to hospital."

Thibaut Courtois appeared to be concussed after a collision with Alexis Sanchez © Getty Images

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