Northampton’s Wales wing George North will be out until at least the end of April after a series of head injuries, the English Premiership champions announced on Thursday.

North, 22, has three times taken heavy blows to the head while playing in the past two months and had already been ruled out of this weekend’s European Champions Cup quarter-final away to French side Clermont.

Following consultation with head injury specialists, Northampton have decided to give the strapping wing further time to recover.

“North saw a neurologist on Wednesday (April 1st), who has advised that the winger take a month away from playing rugby before being re-assessed at the end of April,” the club said in a statement on their website.

“North will continue to be monitored by the Saints’ medical team in the intervening period. He will not participate in on-field training, but will continue to contribute in other areas and maintain his work with the club’s performance department.”

North was knocked unconscious twice during February’s Six Nations match against England and had to be stretchered off after being knocked unconscious during Northampton’s 52-30 Premiership defeat of Wasps last Friday.

Wasps forward Nathan Hughes has been banned for three weeks for striking North with his knee as the Wales international scored the second of his two tries during the game at Franklin’s Gardens.