Stoke assess Allen following concussion

Allen is an early doubt as Stoke prepare to travel to Manchester City at the weekend, after he was substituted in the first half following a heavy collision with David Meyler and he will be checked over by the club doctors when he returns on Thursday.

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

Essentially, the player is not allowed to return for a competitive game for at least six days.

No blood test or scan can detect concussion, so an assessment has to be made based on history and examination.

Stoke assistant Mark Bowen told the club's official 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."