MIDDLESBROUGH defender Hayden Coulson has been given compassionate leave from his loan club, Aberdeen, after he was involved in a 17-car road accident on Friday.

Coulson, who is on a season-long loan in the Scottish Premier League, was travelling with his family when he was caught up in a serious incident on the A92.

The defender was not hurt in the incident, which saw police, fire, seven ambulance crews, two special operations response teams and a specialist trauma team attend the scene, with four people being rushed to hospital with injuries.

However, while his family were also unharmed, Coulson’s German Shepherd dog, Zola, ran away in the aftermath of the accident, and Aberdeen boss, Barry Robson, opted to give him the weekend off.

The full-back was not involved in the Dons’ 1-0 win at St Johnstone, but is set to return to training this week ahead of Saturday’s home game with Kilmarnock.

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“Hayden and his family were involved in the road accident last week,” confirmed Robson, who has been appointed as interim Aberdeen manager until the end of the season, working alongside former Boro coach Steve Agnew. “It was a traumatic experience for them all, but they are all safe and well.

“Hayden has been given some time with his family this week, with the support of everyone at the club.”

Coulson has made 28 appearances in all competitions with Aberdeen this season, and the Dons remain keen to sign him on a permanent basis.

However, Boro head coach Michael Carrick has no intention of allowing the 24-year-old to leave on a permanent basis at this stage, and is looking forward to working with him at first hand when Boro’s players reconvene for pre-season training later this summer.

“Do we want to get Hayden back into the building in the summer and work with him? Of course,” said Carrick, when he was asked about his plans for Coulson last month. “I’ve not been fortunate enough to work with Hayden yet because he’s been away ever since I’ve been here.

“I’m looking forward to getting him back and working with him, and seeing how it goes in pre-season. That’s the plan.”