Doncaster player continues despite severe head injury in FA Cup match

In an FA Cup fourth round match against Crystal Palace, Doncaster Rovers defender Jamie Sterry played on despite sustaining a serious head injury. The 29-year-old right-back started the game but had to be substituted late in the second half.

As Sterry left the pitch, a large, golf ball-sized lump was clearly visible on his forehead. However, the player appeared to be in good spirits and did not seem overly concerned about the injury as he exited the field. He was replaced by Tom Nixon and received medical treatment for the swelling after coming off.

Sterry has been a key player for Doncaster manager Grant McCann this season, making 27 appearances in League Two and contributing six assists. The former Newcastle United player was part of the Magpies squad that gained promotion to the Premier League in 2017.

Despite Sterry’s efforts, Doncaster were unable to pull off an upset against Premier League side Crystal Palace. The match ended in a 2-0 victory for Palace, with goals from Daniel Munoz in the first half and Justin Devenny after the break.

Crystal Palace midfielder Will Hughes expressed relief at advancing to the next round, acknowledging it was a challenging match. Palace will now face Millwall in the FA Cup fifth round.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about player safety and the management of head injuries in football. While Sterry was able to continue playing, questions may be raised about whether he should have been allowed to stay on the pitch after sustaining such a visible injury.