Bath skipper Michael Lipman is struggling with a concussion © Getty Images

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Bath skipper and England flanker Michael Lipman will see a neurosurgeon on Tuesday as the concussion he sustained during Bath's 3-3 Heineken Cup draw with Toulouse continues to keep him from the playing field.

Lipman trained for Bath last week and was originally named in their side to face London Irish at the Rec on Saturday, but withdrew before the game. Lipman's troubles will be all the more clear following the retirement of Wasps hooker and former France captain Rafael Ibanez due to concussion last week. Ibanez took the decision on the advice of a neurosurgeon after sustaining several head injuries earlier this season.

"I will be seeing a neurosurgeon in Bath on Tuesday," said Lipman, who won the last of his 10 England caps against New Zealand in November. "You can't put a time limit on it, but you cannot play when you are not 100%. If you do so, you are risking brain damage, memory loss and the shakes. You have to look after yourself - I am only 29."

Lipman took a blow behind his left ear during the Toulouse tie, losing consciousness for a time. After several weeks out he looked likely to return on Saturday but ruled himself out after not feeling right during Bath's final training session.

"If there is the slightest doubt with this type of injury, you put the guy off for another week," said Bath coach Steve Meehan. "I wouldn't be happy for him to take the risk. And I wouldn't be happy if he took the risk, and if he was to get another one (knock) and it finished his career. In the week, Michael trained, but at the end of the week he had the good sense to say he wasn't right.

"He couldn't describe exactly what was happening, but he wasn't happy with the whole thing. He really is the sole judge. He's the one who says 'I've got through that training, I feel 100% and I am ready to take all my tests'. When he says that, and he passes everything, then I will be happy to put him on the field.

"He wants to play - he's the captain of the side and he wants to be out there - but he needs to get the neurosurgeon's clearance."