Cork Illness-An Update

Jack Cork fell ill during England`s Under 21 international friendly 2-1 defeat against Iceland at Deepdale on Monday. After feeling unwell at half-time, he was taken to hospital in Preston and stayed overnight for observation before being discharged on Tuesday.

The 21 year old has now returned to parent club Chelsea for medical attention and careful monitoring.

According to the England Under 21 boss, Stuart Pearce our on-loan midfielder had suffered palpitations and it was thought he was suffering from a virus. The Lancashire Telegraph also reported that Cork`s heart rate during Tuesday`s game was significantly beyond the levels that would normally be expected.

Eddie Howe however has since said the cause of Cork`s ailments had yet to be fully diagnosed.

He also confirmed Cork would be a doubt for Saturday`s game against Ipswich Town at Turf Moor although he was still hopeful that Cork would be back at Turf Moor to play some part in their play-off push with just nine games of the season still to be played.

"It`s still to early to tell what`s wrong, but he has gone back to Chelsea for some tests," said the gaffer

"They have better facilities there than we have, but fingers crossed he will be back with us at some point. We certainly hope so.

"But we`ve just got to make sure he is okay first and foremost, and that he is fit and well.

"That`s the main thing."

"Although we`re still not sure what the problem is, I would have thought Saturday is doubtful for Jack"

This is obviously a bad blow for our promotion hopes but get well soon Jack. I just wonder if the uncharacteristic underpar performances of late from Jack in the last three games can be explained by this illness? Maybe he had been suffering in silence before the England Under 21 Iceland defeat?

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.