Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce willing to undergo precautionary Dementia tests

The 56-year-old was well-known through his playing career for his physical approach to the game, playing at centre back for the likes of Manchester United, Birmingham City, Norwich and Gillingham.

Following Alan Shearer's documentary regarding the subject of heading footballs and the links with Dementia and Alzheimer's, which airs this weekend, the Villa boss has admitted that it's something he should get looked at as a precaution.

"Luckily I never had to head one of the old, heavy balls." Bruce told The Sun.

“But I was always getting head wounds. And when I think about it I reckon I should get myself checked out."

“There is a point to be proved over this issue because while we as managers get checked out for stuff like blood pressure or heart rate there are no checks for dementia.”

The issue regarding brain injury and football is a particularly strong one in and around the Midlands, with former England and West Brom star Jeff Astle's death at the age of 59 bringing the link to national attention in 2002.

It's also a major issue in the USA, with NFL players regularly discussing links with the physicality involved in American Football and brain trauma later on in life. This was brought into further light by the cinematic release of Concussion, starring Will Smith, which also tackles the issue.

Concussion protocols in and around sport have also been introduced in recent years in an effort to reduce risk of serious injury, which can take affect in later life.

However, Bruce confirmed that whilst he feels perfectly healthy now, that the problem was one that was never discussed during his playing days.

"I feel just fine but we all have to take the issue seriously." He said.

“When I was playing, head injuries seemed to happen every week — but you just got on with it.”