A SUNDERLAND doctor involved in the Patrick van Aanholt saga earlier this month has resigned from his post at Sunderland.

It is understood the head of medical services Dr Ishtiaq Rehman has parted company as part of an ongoing review of staffing as new manager David Moyes attempts to build for a better future at the Stadium of Light.

News of his departure has arrived just days after Moyes was left stunned at having to withdraw van Aanholt from the Sunderland team to face Tottenham at White Hart Lane on September 18 on the advice of a cardiac specialist.

The Black Cats manager went on to express his frustration at the timing, which he received barely 30 minutes before kick-off, in the belief it had come from the Football Association’s consensus panel, a claim swiftly denied by the governing body.

It later emerged Sunderland had consulted an independent specialist who by coincidence sits on the FA panel over a potential problem with tests carried out earlier that week, and questions were asked over communication within the club.

Dr Rehman’s departure follows that of assistant academy director Danny Philpott last week.

Van Aanholt, 26, has played in the two matches since then against Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace and is expected to be involved against West Brom this Saturday.