Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has revealed in the Sun that he is preparing to undergo tests for signs of dementia.
The Villa boss will get himself checked out after being alerted by an Alan Shearer documentary to the effects of how heading the ball affects the brain.
Bruce, 56, was a no-nonsense centre-half during his playing days and was renowned for his excellence in the air and often bloody bravery in both boxes.
Now, alerted by fears expressed by Shearer, Bruce accepts he should have medical tests to find out if there has been any long-term damage.
Bruce, 56 – who made 926 appearances over two decades for Manchester United, Norwich, Gillingham and Birmingham – told the Sun: “Luckily I never had to head one of the old, heavy balls.
“But I was always getting head wounds. And when I think about it I reckon I should get myself checked out.
“There is a point to be proved over this issue because while we as managers get checked out for stuff like blood pressure or heart rate there are no checks for dementia.
“I feel just fine but we all have to take the issue seriously. When I was playing, head injuries seemed to happen every week — but you just got on with it.”
OPINION
Credit to Bruce for taking on board the advice from the Shearer documentary to be aired on Sunday and recognising that heading a ball during a lengthy professional career could have long-term damage. The former England striker underwent a series of scans and tests to examine how heading the ball affects the brain for the BBC programme to be aired on Sunday, and it is likely to prompt a deluge of ex-pros to follow suit. This issue should no longer be swept under the carpet, as it has massive repercussions for not only former and current players, but also youngsters playing in weekend leagues up and down the country.