North Melbourne star Ben Cunnington is set to undergo 12 days of concussion recovery after copping an elbow to the back of the head at training last Friday.

Following the AFL's new concussion protocols, players that sustain a concussion are forced to be sidelined for a minimum of 12 days from when they first suffered the injury.

It was revealed last week that Cunnington would undergo tests to determine the severity of the head knock, with the 29-year-old now confirmed to sit out of training until February 24th.

Should Cunnington pass the requirements to return to full-time duties, the gun midfielder could be in line to play in the Kangaroos' practice match against St Kilda on Thursday, February 25th.

SENย reporter Sam Edmund confirmed the club have ruled the onballer out of training duties under the league's new concussion guidlines.

โ€œThat was concussion in the end that heโ€™s been diagnosed with in the intra-club match last Friday,"ย SEN Breakfast.

โ€œHe copped that elbow to the back of the head.

โ€œItโ€™s the first concussion that we know of since the AFL announced those new 12-day guidelines, so a 12-day rest period will keep Ben Cunnington sidelined until February 24, a day before the Roosโ€™ first practice match against St Kilda at Arden Street.โ€

The setback adds to Cunnington's delayed return to the playing field after the veteran ball-magnet managed just the three matches in 2020 following ongoing back issues.

Should Cunnington miss the St Kilda clash, he could be named to face the Hawks on Saturday, March 6 in the club's only official pre-season fixture.

BEN CUNNINGTON
Midfielder
North Melbourne
2020 SEASON AVG
17.7
Disposals
4
Tackles
4
Clearances

North Melbourne will begin their premiership campaign against Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, March 21.