WALES wing George North will not play for Northampton in Saturday's European Champions Cup quarter-final at Clermont Auvergne after his latest head injury.

North has been knocked unconscious three times in recent months, including in last Friday's 52-30 win over Wasps.

Saints coach Jim Mallinder said: "We won't play him at the weekend. Clearly he had a nasty knock. He's making good progress. The day after he was up and about.

"He's improving and down there at the moment going to see a neurologist and we'll wait to see what the experts say."

Former World Rugby medical adviser Dr Barry O'Driscoll says North - the top try-scorer in the competition with seven this season - should not play again this season.

Mallinder added: "There's been lots of opinion. We've got to be careful that we don't blow anything out of proportion.

"It's a tough game, (but) player welfare will always come first."

North left the field unconscious after scoring the second of two tries in Saints' win. Wasps forward Nathan Hughes was sent off for for dangerous play as the Wales wing touched down.

Hughes protested his innocence, but on Tuesday was banned for three weeks.

North also suffered blows to the head on Wales duty in the autumn, against New Zealand, and during the RBS 6 Nations, twice in the tournament opener against England.

However, Mallinder is not unduly concerned and will await specialist advice before deciding when to select the 22-year-old wing again.

"I'm not concerned for him," Mallinder added. "We've got to look after him. We've got to make sure the medical experts are happy and satisfied that he is fit to return to play and as soon as they say he is, then we'll be happy to pick him again."