REUTERS - Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen is a doubt for Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester City after the Wales international sustained a head injury in Monday's 1-0 loss to Ireland in their final 2018 World Cup qualifier. British media reports said Allen suffered a suspected concussion and Stoke assistant manager Mark Bowen said the 27-year-old had been given extended leave until Thursday and would be assessed upon his return. "Joe is an early doubt, but we are still hopeful on him for the weekend...," Bowen told reporters on Tuesday. According to FA guidelines, players who suffer a suspected or confirmed concussion are not allowed to return to play for at least six days after the injury. Bowen also said captain Ryan Shawcross had yet to recover from a back injury, with no clear timeline for the 30-year-old's return.

Source: Economic Times October 11, 2017 06:56 UTC