Richmond player Jack Higgins is in hospital after being diagnosed with bleeding on his brain.

According to media reports, the cause is unknown and the AFL club will release a statement on Wednesday.

Higgins has not been in their AFL team since round 13 and he is understood to have had headaches after Sunday’s VFL match.

The 20-year-old made his AFL debut last year and has played 13 senior games this season for a career total of 33.

He won the AFL’s goal of the year award last season.