A long-awaited study into the links between heading a football and brain damage will start in January.

That’s the word today from the English Football Association.

Doctor Willie Stewart who claimed former striker Jeff Astle died because of repeated head trauma is to lead the study. Stewart said his report would aim to “provide some understanding of the long-term health impact of football within the next two to three years”

A former England international, Astle developed dementia and died in 2002 at the age of 59.

The inquest into his death found repeatedly heading heavy leather footballs had contributed to trauma to his brain.

Alan Shearer has pledged to donate his brain when he dies to the growing ‘bank’ that is being created by former British professionals for research into dementia and playing football.

The 47 year old former England captain fronted a powerful BBC documentary into issues on Sunday shortly after The Telegraph had also reported how families of suffering players in this country were following those in American Football by donating the brains of loved ones to research.