SUNDERLAND defender Patrick van Aanholt has claimed a virus was the explanation for the heart issues that resulted in his late withdrawal from Sunderland's 1-0 defeat at Tottenham.
Van Aanholt was left out of Sunderland's starting line-up at White Hart Lane after the Black Cats' club doctor was informed of concerns relating to a heart test that had been conducted on the full-back last Tuesday.
However, van Aanholt insists the problem is nothing serious, and expects to be involved in tomorrow's EFL Cup third-round tie with QPR.
Speaking to the Dutch publication Voetbal International, van Aanholt said: "I was indeed surprised, because there is really nothing to worry about.
"I’ve been sick last week. I picked up a virus and that would have crept around my body, possibly even to my heart. So we had to make a scan, but the scan is offered late or too late at the FA and therefore I had to sit in the stands.
"I felt nothing in my heart, I’m just fit - I play tomorrow normally."
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