SAINTS defender Jan Bednarek was forced off at half-time in Poland's 2-0 win over Malta on Monday evening.

Bednarek, wearing the captain's armband for his country, was replaced at the break as a precaution after a clash with an opposition player.

The 28 year old was still suffering from a bleeding nose when returning to the dressing room and was not risked in the second half following his recent injury problems.

Bednarek has now left the field early in three of his last four appearances but Poland boss Michał Probierz is confident this one is "not serious".

As reported by Polish outlet PVT Sport, translated into English, Probierz said: "Bednarek was still bleeding from the nose after the hit with the opponent.

"We decided that there was no point in him playing, but the whole thing is not serious."

Bednarek suffered a concussion against Liverpool earlier this month and was forced to miss the defeat to Wolves after a slow recovery.

The centre-back was still suffering from concussion symptoms in the lead-up to the Wolves defeat and was only allowed to return on Thursday - the day before playing for Poland.

Fellow defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis also suffered an injury on international duty with England's under-21s.

He returned to Staplewood early, missing a clash with Saints teammate Mateus Fernandes's Portugal due to a thigh problem he suffered against France.