Van Aanholt withdrawn from Sunderland team after heart test

Netherlands’ Patrick van Aanholt, left, and England’s Dele Alli, right, vie for the ball during the international friendly soccer match between England and The Netherlands at Wembley stadium in London, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

SUNDERLAND, England — Sunderland manager David Moyes says defender Patrick van Aanholt was withdrawn from the team on Sunday just before the English Premier League game at Tottenham because of the results of tests on his heart.

The Dutchman’s withdrawal from the starting lineup at White Hart Lane barely 30 minutes before kickoff was not fully explained on the day.

Moyes revealed on Tuesday he was advised not to play the full back by cardiologists.

Moyes says Van Aanholt had the "statutory checks with the cardiologists, and the FA (Football Association) panel of cardiologists looked at it and advised us really late on Sunday that he should not play until further tests."

Van Aanholt has had further tests and will return to London with the rest of the north-east club’s squad for Wednesday’s English League Cup game against Queens Park Rangers.

Moyes is yet to make a decision on whether Van Aanholt will play.

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