VANCOUVER - Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson has seen his fair share of strange injuries over the years, and Nigel Reo-Coker's bizarre mishap is just another one to add to the list.

Reo-Coker is expected to miss the Major League Soccer club's game this weekend against the Houston Dynamo with a concussion after he tripped over a bike rack and banged his head in Vancouver on Sunday.

The 29-year-old midfielder missed Tuesday's training session and was absent again on Wednesday, with Robinson revealing that Reo-Coker will likely sit out against the Dynamo.

"He's a little bit bruised and cut," said Robinson. "He's not here with us today but we hope he makes a speedy recovery and hopefully (is) back very soon."

A former Welsh international during his playing days, Robinson said Reo-Coker's tumble ranks among some of the more odd injuries he's come across.

"I've seen a few and heard a few in my time, picking up a remote control and pulling your hamstring and things like that. It's one of them that fits into that category," said Robinson. "It's quite a serious injury for him but it's one that makes you chuckle when you hear about it and the story. It's a strange one."

The injury occurred after Reo-Coker had returned with his teammates to Vancouver following the Whitecaps' 0-0 road draw against the New England Revolution on Saturday afternoon.

"He just fell and tripped. I don't think he was looking where he was going, which is never a good sign for a midfield player," Robinson deadpanned, before adding: "Obviously you've got to be very careful with head injuries these days.

"He's done the concussion test and there was a slight issue so it was a little bit worrisome but he's fine. I spoke to him for half an hour today in the office. It's normal Nige back."

Reo-Coker has started all three games for Vancouver (1-0-2) so far this season, but was subbed off after 70 minutes on Saturday in favour of Gershon Koffie, who seems like the most obvious candidate to take the Englishman's place in the lineup against Houston (2-0-0) this Saturday.

A box-to-box central midfielder, Reo-Coker joined the Whitecaps in February 2013 after stops with Wimbledon, Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United in his home country.

He started 31 MLS games for Vancouver last season, collecting one goal and four assists. Reo-Coker has one assist in 220 minutes of action so far in 2014.

"You're always due for one or two strange injuries a season," said Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit. "You feel for Nigel. He'll have to answer you to how it all happened."

News from © The Canadian Press, 2014