Doc holds key to Terry comeback

Chelsea captain John Terry will be allowed to play in Saturday’s Barclays Premiership clash with Portsmouth – as long as he is cleared to do so by a doctor.

It was thought the England skipper would be forced to sit out the match because of the Football Association regulations on players who suffer concussion.

Terry was knocked unconscious in a sickening accident in yesterday’s Carling Cup final win over Arsenal, swallowing his tongue.

However, after being taken to hospital, he was quickly released and returned to the Millennium Stadium to join in the victory celebrations.

In a statement today, the FA said: “Following John Terry’s injury in yesterday’s League Cup Final, The FA can clarify that the rules on head injuries do not set down an automatic rest period for players suffering from concussion, but rather stipulate that each injury must be assessed individually by a doctor.

“The FA medical recommendations state that: ’Since all head injuries are different in terms of the effects on the brain, no fixed time periods are applicable in professional football as to when the player should return to training and playing.

"The brain’s response to the injury determines the time of return and playing and must be clinically assessed by the club medical officer or a specialist neurosurgeon/neurologist.

"The clinical rule is that no player should return to training or playing until symptom-free and sign-free at rest and on provocation.“

The statement added: “The FA supplies clubs with a list of neurological specialists and units around the country.”