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Chelsea news: Andreas Christensen taken off after clashing heads with Brighton defender Shane Duffy but Antonio Conte says he is ‘OK’

The Danish defender had initially carried on playing but looked dazed and was subbed off 10 minutes later

ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN had to be subbed off after a nasty head collision at Brighton, but he is OK to play against Arsenal.

The Chelsea defender went down after bumping heads with Shane Duffy before getting treatment on the field.

 Andreas Christensen went down after a heavy collision with Shane Duffy
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Andreas Christensen went down after a heavy collision with Shane Duffy

He was checked over by the club doctor and allowed back onto the pitch - he carried on for another 10 minutes but appeared out of sorts.

Referee Jon Moss appeared to make the call for Christensen to seek more treatment, the man in the middle spotted Christensen holding the back of his head and looking dazed.

Christensen then walked to the technical area where he was immediately replaced by David Luiz.

Chelsea confirmed after the game that Christensen had suffered a "contusion".

 Christensen initially carried on but looked dazed but referee Jon Moss appeared to make the call that he couldn't carry on
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Christensen initially carried on but looked dazed but referee Jon Moss appeared to make the call that he couldn't carry onCredit: PA:Press Association
 Ten minutes after the head clash he was subbed off for David Luiz - who made his first Premier League appearance since October 28
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Ten minutes after the head clash he was subbed off for David Luiz - who made his first Premier League appearance since October 28Credit: Getty - Contributor

Speaking after the game, Conte said: "Honestly, the player did not want to come off.

"The player is OK. He is available for the next game, for the next training."

The substitute appearance against Brighton was Luiz's first Premier League outing since October 28.

He was dropped by Antonio Conte after a dreadful performance against Roma in the Champions League.

There were reports that Luiz had criticised Conte's tactics in the game and he has been on the bench ever since.

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 Christensen will be a doubt for the Arsenal game if he has suffered a concussion - although no statement has been made so far
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Christensen will be a doubt for the Arsenal game if he has suffered a concussion - although no statement has been made so farCredit: PA:Press Association

If Christensen had suffered a concussion, he would not have been allowed to play in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal.

Guidelines over head injuries state that a player is not allowed to play until six days after a concussion, no matter how severe.

At the start of the 2014-15 season the Premier League introduced new guidelines for head injuries.

The rules stated that a player must leave the pitch after any head injury and a club doctor will decide if he can continue - not the manager or coach.

There are clear guidelines on when a player will be allowed to return if he is suspected to have suffered a concussion.

A club spokesman said: "The club’s medical team followed the required concussion protocols to the letter. Andreas showed no symptoms of concussion and was treated for a simple contusion, as Antonio made clear to journalists in his post match press conference and interviews."

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