Motherwell boss in plea over dangerous aerial challenges as he urges SFA to take a stance

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell has urged the SFA to look into mis-timed aerial challenges in the game amid fears of serious concussion injuries - or worse.

The Fir Park boss has spoken to the head of referee operations, Crawford Allan, after two of his players were on the end of nasty blows to the face in recent games.

Defender Paul McGinn has been ruled out for six weeks with a fractured cheekbone, following a clash with Lewis Mayo in last week's defeat at Kilmarnock, while fellow defender Brodie Spencer suffered a broken nose at Rugby Park, which came just days after he received treatment on the pitch for a blow to the head in the 4-2 loss at Aberdeen last midweek.

Kettlewell insists mis-timed aerial challenges should be treated the same as dangerous tackles and is calling on the game's governing body to do more to protect players before somebody suffers a more serious injury.

He said: "We've had two instances now. One in the Aberdeen game with Brodie Spencer and one with Paul McGinn at Kilmarnock where our guy clearly wins the ball and then there is a follow through from the opponent.

"There is no malice in it, he is not trying to hurt our player.

"But that must be a greater danger when we start to talk about being in an age where we worry about concussions and long-lasting injuries, fractured cheekbones and all the rest of it.

"I spoke to Crawford about this and the officials after the game, as calm as I could, but we are going to have a conversation and take a look into this situation.

"I think we are really focusing on what's happening on the ground, but when you have guys going full force, mis-timing a header and almost headbutting the opponent, then I believe we are running the risk of longer-term injuries,