Man Utd taking no risks with Ona Batlle under concussion protocol
Manchester United right-back Ona Batlle is making daily progress under concussion protocol following a clash of heads in the closing stages of last weekend’s WSL win over Brighton.
Having already used all of their five permitted substitutions, United were able to make use of a legal sixth change in stoppage time under concussion rules to replace Batlle with Maria Thorisdottir.
Ahead of Sunday’s away trip to Leicester, Batlle remains under supervision of the club doctor but no risks will be taken by trying to speed up any recovery. The Spaniard, recently dubbed one of the best right-backs in the world by manager Marc Skinner and part of the squad’s senior leadership group, will be assessed with a view to playing at the King Power Stadium later in the week.
“Ona is better on her SCAT testing,” Skinner explained on Wednesday, having initially confirmed that a concussion substitution had taken place immediately after thrashing Brighton.
“We’re just making sure that she is healthy and safe. Every day she is getting a little bit better, so obviously we’ll follow the protocol that is needed and we’re looking after her with a full-time doctor so she gets care all the time,” he added.
“There will be no risk with Ona, but she is progressing nicely every day so we’ll see towards the game at the weekend [if she can play].”
United also remain without Alessia Russo for the Leicester game, with no changes to her expected recovery from an injury that is expected to see her return in early November.
“Alessia is still the same… probably two to three weeks away,” Skinner said. “She’s still training [individually] back on the field and everything is progressing nicely. [She will] probably start team training in two or three weeks and then she’ll be in contention.”
Russo previously missed most of the 2020/21 season because of injury and United staff also treated her with extra care and caution upon her return at the start of last season as a result.
Full-back Hannah Blundell is potentially a doubt to face Leicester after coming off at half-time against Brighton as a precaution. She has been training individually so far but still has a number of days in which to re-join full team sessions before Sunday.
Summer signing Grace Clinton remains unavailable but has made progress in her recovery by returning to train on grass.
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