CHRIS RIGG will not be available for Sunderland’s weekend home game with Rotherham United after suffering a concussion during last night’s Under-21s victory over Norwich City.

Rigg was part of a strong second-string side that kicked off the Under-21s Premier League 2 season with a win over the Canaries at Eppleton.

However, the 16-year-old midfielder was involved in a clash of heads shortly before half-time that required around four minutes of treatment from Sunderland’s medical staff.

The youngster remained on the field for the final couple of minutes of the first half, but was assessed again at half-time and was substituted once it became clear that he was still suffering from the after-effects of the incident.

Rigg must now follow the FA’s concussion protocols, which mean he will not be available to feature in Saturday’s game with Rotherham. Having been on the substitutes’ bench for Sunderland’s opening two Championship matches, and started the Carabao Cup defeat to Crewe, the midfielder would almost certainly have been in Tony Mowbray’s matchday 20 this weekend had he been available.

The FA’s concussion rules state that players can resume training five days after a concussion incident, and return to playing one day later, provided they clear each stage of the protocol without any problems.

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However, stricter rules are in force for younger players, and apply to 16-year-old Rigg, which mean that even if he comes through the various stages of the concussion protocols without an issue, he will only be able to return to training on August 25, which is the day before Sunderland take on Coventry City at the CBS Arena. As a result, he must also be considered a major doubt for that game.

“Chris came off with concussion, which was a bit of a blow,” confirmed Sunderland Under-21s assistant coach John Hewitson. “He had symptoms of concussion so, because of his age, we had to be careful.

“With the character he is – he is quite a tough nut – for him to say that he didn’t feel great, alarms go off. He’s fine, but it’s just a case of taking him off as a precaution because we need to look after him.”

Rigg made history last season when he became Sunderland’s youngest-ever outfield player as he came off the bench in the FA Cup. He wrote his name into the record books again earlier this month as his goal in the League Cup defeat to Crewe made him the Black Cats’ youngest goalscorer of all time.

He only turned 16 in June, so while he should be a permanent presence in and around the first-team squad this season, he will still be expected to make regular appearances at Under-21 level.

“At the moment, he is training with the first team on a daily basis, and at the moment, his game time is coming with the Under-21s,” said Hewitson, who saw two goals from Ellis Taylor secure victory for a Sunderland second-string side that also featured the likes of Niall Huggins, Nectar Triantis, Jewison Bennette and Hemir.

“He needs to do really well for the Under-21s and make a statement that will be noticed at first-team level. People forget he has only just turned 16. He is still a young man with lots and lots of potential.”