Thursday, November 11, 2010

Sneijder: I have anaemia

Internazionale star Wesley Sneijder has said that he is suffering from anaemia and that is why he fainted in the dressing room last weekend.

The Dutch star was handed the diagnosis after visiting a doctor in his native Netherlands.

Anaemia occurs when there is a decrease in the number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of haemoglobin in the blood, and came about due to Sneijder's hectic workload in leading Internazionale to the treble last season before guiding Holland to the World Cup final.

Sneijder first started feeling unwell during Inter's draw with Brescia at the weekend.

"Five minutes before the end of the first half I started shaking and felt pain in all my body, it was something I had never experienced before," he told De Telegraaf.

"After when I went into the dressing room I passed out and I was very scared. They controlled my blood pressure and heart rate immediately and then I went to Holland for further tests.

"The conclusions were that I am anaemic and my whole body is very tired. I need plenty of rest."

Rafael Benitez left Sneijder out of the squad for Wednesday's trip to Lecce but he is expected to play in the Milan derby on Sunday.