A YEAR AFTER suffering a head injury during an FA Cup tie, former Stoke defender Andy Wilkinson has been forced to retire with symptoms of concussion.
Wilkinson sustained the injury during Stoke’s 4-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers last February and the 31-year-old has been unable to play since.
His contract at the Britannia Stadium ended at the end of last season, however the club, for whom he made over 150 appearances, offered him a non-playing deal so he could continue his recovery.
But after consulting with a specialist in America and Canada on three separate trips, Wilkinson has called time on his playing career.
“Over a year on from the injury, there’s still a lot going on,” he told Sky Sports.
Wilkinson was struck in the head at close range shortly after coming on as a half-time substitute in the game at Ewood Park.
The injury affected his version and he experienced vertigo and blurred vision whenever he attempted to train.
“It was just volleyed straight in my temple and it shook me.
“I sprinted back and completely lost my right peripheral vision. I’d just got back in the team so I just played on and didn’t let anyone know. I played most of the game without being able to see on my right side.
“As time went on I developed more things – vertigo, nausea, balance problems. Then I had problems mentally, anger and feeling a bit depressed.”
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