Robert Sanchez is to undergo in-house assessments in the coming days as Chelsea follow concussion protocols in the hope he can be available to face Liverpool next weekend.
The Chelsea goalkeeper was substituted in the 66th minute of Monday’s 3-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest after a clash of heads with the Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, who came away with a huge gash on his face.
While the Premier League confirmed neither player was logged as a concussion substitution, Standard Sport understands Sanchez will still have to undergo checks at certain intervals in the coming days as Chelsea follow FA ‘return to play guidelines’ before passing him fit for next Saturday’s league game against Liverpool at Anfield.
Chelsea must await the results of those concussion protocol assessments with club medical staff at Cobham before learning whether he can face Liverpool.
Sanchez was given a bandage around his head before being brought off, with Filip Jorgensen coming on as his replacement.
He later shared an image to his Instagram story of a large cut on his forehead bearing several stitches, accompanied by a message to Gibbs-White: “Seen that you came out worst than me, hope you are ok big man.” [sic]
Gibbs-White suffered a significant cut to his head which required several stitches. Forest will also have to test him in the same way before determining whether he can play against Aston Villa in Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg at Villa Park.
Players who fail any of the test stages must observe a rest period of at least 12 days.
Earlier in the game on Monday, a clash of heads between Chelsea full debutant Jesse Derry and Forest defender Zach Abbott left Derry unconscious and needing to be stretchered off. He was taken to hospital before regaining consciousness and undergoing precautionary tests at hospital.
Abbott was the only player in the match whose exit was officially marked down as a concussion protocol substitution.
