North Queensland fullback Te Maire Martin sidelined with severe headaches

Scans have revealed Cowboys star Te Maire Martin has a small bleed on the brain and will be sidelined indefinitely after he complained of severe headaches.

Round 3 match of the NRL Telstra Premiership between the North Queensland Cowboys v Cronulla Sharks from 1300 Smiles Stadium, Towsnville. Sharks Josh Morris scores a try while Cowboys Te Maire Martin attempts to tackle. Picture: Zak Simmonds

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SCANS have revealed Cowboys star Te Maire Martin has a small bleed on the brain and will be sidelined indefinitely.

The concerning news comes as the 23-year-old was omitted from the Cowboys squad this weekend when they take on the Titans in Townsville.

The Cowboys this morning provided an update on the injury and said club medical staff were investigating the cause of the bleed.

It is not yet clear whether the injury is football-related.

Martin is currently resting at home and is scheduled to meet with a Townsville-based specialist later in the week.

Martin tackled during the Round 5 match against the Melbourne Storm. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Coach Paul Green yesterday said he was concerned for Martin’s welfare.

“Te Maire’s got a bit of an issue at the moment so he’s not 100%,” Green said.

“He’s out for a little while.

“He’s been getting some pretty severe headaches so just checking that out.”

When asked whether it was concussion-related, Green replied “we don’t think so”.

“He did cop a knock in the Melbourne game but didn’t show any signs of concussion,” he said.

The club is uncertain when Martin will return. AAP Image/Brendon Thorne.

“We’re just going back over the past couple games to see if there is anything there.

“It is a bit of a concern at the moment.”

The NRL has cracked down on concussions in recent years, by introducing the HIA (Head Injury Assessment) rule and allowing the referees bunker to monitor head knocks which might be missed during a game.

The issue was prominent in the news earlier this year after rugby league immortal Andrew Johns admitted head knocks could have contributed to his epilepsy.