More mystery illness misery

The Northern Ireland defender lasted just 29 minutes of Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Goodison Park before he was forced to exit the field. "Aaron thought he could get through the game," said Tubbs. "He gave it a go but he felt as if he was going to pass out – he was totally washed out." Hughes therefore joins James Milner and Kevin Phillips on the sidelines, and although the latter did briefly train on Friday, Milner is currently quarantined and looks unlikely to return to Bodymoor Heath until later in the week.

O'Leary is nevertheless keen to quash rumours that the on-loan winger is out for the season, saying: "I don't know where the reports come from," he said. "He's not having any medication or treatment, and we just want to keep him away from the club because the virus has knocked him sideways. He'll come back on Thursday and then we'll have an idea of whether or not he can play on Saturday."