Fabio to miss at least two games as Middlesbrough follow concussion guidelines
Tuesday 4 April 2017 16:38, UK
Fabio will miss a minimum of two matches after suffering concussion during Middlesbrough's 0-0 draw at Swansea City.
The Boro full-back, 26, was taken off midway through the second half of Sunday's match after being assessed on the pitch by club medical staff following a collision with Leroy Fer.
He wanted to continue but was replaced by Adam Forshaw, and Boro say they will follow guidelines laid down by the FA, Uefa and Fifa, which state that a player should not return to action for at least seven days following concussion.
That rules the former Manchester United defender out of Wednesday's visit to Hull City and Saturday's home match against Burnley.
Middlesbrough have also insisted that Fabio is "continually being assessed by the club's medical staff".
Headway, the brain injury association, have praised Boro for their actions.
Peter McCabe, the charity's chief executive, said: "Concussion protocols are there for a reason, that being to protect players - often from themselves.
"There are significant risks in returning to the field of play after sustaining a concussion.
"If a player sustains another blow to the head before the brain has had a chance to recover from the initial concussion, the damage can be exacerbated.
"The decision by Middlesbrough's medical staff not to let Fabio return to play should be applauded."
Meanwhile, Gaston Ramirez will undergo a scan after suffering an ankle injury during the Swansea game.
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