The Premier League could begin trialling the use of concussion substitutes as soon as next week.
Clubs have voted in favour of conducting the trial in England’s top flight.
Each team will be allowed up to two extra substitutions per game if concussion is suspected in a player.
The issue of concussion and head injuries has been brought into focus by the number of ex-players living out their later years battling dementia.
Clubs’ attitudes towards head injuries have also been called into question, none more so than when David Luiz stayed on for Arsenal after a clash of heads that fractured the skull of Wolves striker Raul Jimenez in November.
Arsenal say they followed all the proper protocols at the time.
The trial could begin as early as the middle of next week if it is okayed by the game’s lawmakers, IFAB.
A Premier League statement read, “The trial will be confirmed when the implementation of the reporting processes, including private medical information, has been resolved with IFAB and FIFA.
“With player welfare the Premier League’s priority, the protocols will allow a maximum of two concussion substitutes to be used per team, with the opposition side able to use the equivalent number.
“The additional concussion substitutions may be made regardless of the number of substitutions a team have made already.
“The trial is a result of the IFAB’s consultation with stakeholders and recommendations from their concussion expert group to allow additional substitutions for players with actual or suspected concussion.”
Meanwhile, all Premier League games through to the end of February will be televised.
Fans are no nearer a return to English stadia, with COVID-19 numbers out of control.
The split between rights holders will be revealed in due course.
The Premier League said, “The Premier League and its clubs are committed to an accessible solution for fans.
“These plans have been made with the cooperation of our broadcast partners, working with us to deliver these additional matches while stadiums are missing the supporters who are such an integral part of the game.”