Hooker Tom Youngs is set for three months on the sidelines after undergoing shoulder surgery, but fears over the long-term health of Leicester Tigers team-mate Geoff Parling have been raised by director of rugby Richard Cockerill.
Parling, who featured for the British & Irish Lions in all three Tests last year alongside Youngs, suffered his second concussion in three games at the weekend as Leicester were hammered by Bath.
The 6ft 7in lock is set to miss Saturday’s Premiership clash with London Irish, but Cockerill fears Parling’s absence could roll on for some time.
“You would like to think that with the right rest and expertise he will be fine, but I don’t know,” said Cockerill.
“He’s doing the usual cog-sport protocols and everything else they do.
“When you’re not symptomatic again you can go back to doing exercise and there’s a gradual progression back into full training.
“We will take some advice on that from people who know what they’re talking about. He may need some down-time for obvious reasons
“It’s a concern for his health. Playing is secondary.”
