Season is still alive for O'Connor

The Dubliner underwent observation in Burnley General Hospital after being knocked out following a clash of heads with Albion's Paul McShane - an incident which led to the defender being harshly sent off.

O'Connor was taken to hospital immediately after being carried off the field on a stretcher but was discharged yesterday.

Burnley manager Steve Cotterill said: "I saw James after the game in hospital and he was okay. There are no further problems.

"He went for a scan and we will get the results today. But I think he will be fine."

It is not yet known whether the 27-year-old will be in contention for Friday's game at Sunderland. The trip to the Stadium of Light may come too soon.

But, even though only two games remain, his season is unlikely to be over because the Football Association does not operate a ruling that footballers who suffer head injuries during a game must spend the ensuing two weeks on the sidelines.

An FA spokesman said: "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 recomm-endations 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 spokesman added: "The club medical officer will say when a player can play again.

"The FA sets out advice for the medical officers but there is no strict time limit."