Gary Lineker wants his brain tested for signs of dementia

Gary Lineker says he’ll get additional checks on his brain for signs of dementia.

Research has discovered that former skilled footballers are three and a half occasions extra prone to die from a brain dysfunction than the overall inhabitants, and an inquiry was launched by Parliament this month into sport’s hyperlink to dementia.

Lineker, who has beforehand urged an entire ban on heading in coaching, joined talkSPORT radio for a Dementia in Football documentary and revealed he and Match of the Day colleagues Alan Shearer and Ian Wright concern they might find yourself with a brain dysfunction.

“I’ve had conversations with Alan Shearer and Ian Wright and others in regards to the fear that, come 10, 15 years, that it would occur to at least one of us,” stated the 60-year-old former England captain turned broadcaster.

“The odds recommend that it most likely will. I’ve common well being checks, together with the brain. So far every thing is OK.

“I’ll have my triannual take a look at this summer time and ask if there’s something they will set up across the brain, as a result of I don’t see how, given the circumstances, any footballer wouldn’t be frightened about it.

Sir Geoff Hurst stated this week he understands why former gamers are reluctant to take part in research to look at hyperlinks between taking part in the sport and an elevated danger of dementia, for concern of what they could uncover.

Four of Hurst’s 1966 World Cup-winning team-mates – Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, Martin Peters and Ray Wilson – have died with dementia, whereas Sir Bobby Charlton was identified with the situation final 12 months.

But England supervisor Gareth Southgate is collaborating in a examine wanting on the potential hyperlinks between dementia and taking part in the sport, and has known as on different former professionals to affix him.

Maheta Molango will develop into the primary new chief government of the Professional Footballers’ Association in 40 years if his appointment is ratified by the union’s membership on April 12.

Current PFA boss Gordon Taylor has been criticised for not appearing rapidly sufficient on this challenge – and the matter can be firmly in his successor’s in-tray with future authorized instances on behalf of the households of footballers seemingly.

On potential modifications to soccer, Lineker stated: “Do you wish to take heading out of the sport? No, I don’t suppose so, however you may take heading out of coaching, or restrict it massively.

“Exercises the place defenders are heading it clear, crosses are despatched in and gamers are heading the ball away and at aim repeatedly – bang, bang, bang – most injury will most likely be performed then.

“In a match, what number of occasions would you head it? Not that many.

“If I had identified what I do know now, I might have definitely restricted the quantity of heading I did.

“It’s exhausting to think about the sport with out heading, however possibly it’s value trialling.

“The period of the 1966 gamers has made us actually conscious of this. Football has modified since, so we might even see it (dementia) is much less prevalent in my period.

“But can we afford to attend that lengthy? I think not.”