Wales' Joe Allen is helped off at the Cardiff City stadium on Monday night

Stoke City are assessing Joe Allen after he suffered a suspected concussion in Wales' World Cup Qualifier defeat to Republic of Ireland, according to Sky sources.

Allen is now an early doubt for Stoke's game at Manchester City at the weekend, having been substituted in the first-half following a heavy collision with David Meyler and will be checked over by club medics on Thursday.

The FA and Premier League have established clear 'return to play' guidelines for players who are suspected to have suffered concussion.



Essentially, no player is allowed to return for a competitive game for at least six days.

There is no blood test or scan which can diagnose concussion. An assessment will be made on the basis of history and examination.

Stoke assistant Mark Bowen told the club website: "We haven't seen him today (Tuesday) because he only arrived back home late last night, and we wanted to give him the next 48 hours to make sure he is ready to come in on Thursday.

"We didn't see any real need to get him in this morning, so fingers crossed he is OK and available for the game on Saturday.

"There is protocol to follow with injuries of this nature, which we will of course follow - the doctor will go around later today to see him, but he will come back in on Thursday and we will assess him then."