Sunderland defender Patrick van Aanholt missed the defeat at Tottenham on the advice of cardiologists, the club’s manager David Moyes has confirmed.
Moyes stands by the decision to replace the former Chelsea left-back with Jason Denayer just minutes before kick-off, saying “It was completely out of our control but it was in our control to make the right decision for the player and for the football club.”
Sunderland were informed just 10 minutes before kick-off that “Patrick had some standard tests with the cardiologists and because of those tests it meant that the FA panel had to check it – incredibly they gave me the answer at 3.50pm when the player was out warming up.”
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Van Aanholt has travelled with the squad for their League Cup game against Queens Park Rangers, the club’s official site reports, but there is no word yet on whether he will feature in the matchday 18.
The news comes after Cameroonian international midfielder died from a suspected heart attack while playing a cup game in Romania, while Real Madrid youngster Lucas Silva failed a medical with Sporting Clube after the discovery of cardiac arrhythmia.
Silva, a Brazilian under-21 international, has only just returned to training with the Champions League holders after spending two months out of action on medical advice.
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