Patrick van Aanholt: The truth about my heart scare

The Dutchman was withdrawn from Sunderland’s starting line-up just 15 minutes before kick-off at Tottenham in September, after a late phone call from a cardiologist to Sunderland’s club doctor.

Van Aanholt played no part in the game, amid concerns he was suffering from a heart complaint.

But the 26-year-old says he has no problems with his health or fitness, and that he was ‘upset and frustrated’ about the claims.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the left-back said: “The manager has played me every single minute since the incident that day at Tottenham.

“I’m running up and down the pitch so everything is fine. Everyone who knows me knows there is nothing wrong with me - and there is nothing wrong with my heart either.

“Did I get upset and frustrated at the time? Yes, when you read that you have heart problems when people didn’t hear the truth from me.

“But you can see it hasn’t affected me on the pitch since then. The manager has been good, he protects me and the other players.

“The issue at Tottenham is a closed book now and I’ve moved on from it. I’m loving my football right now and enjoying coming in to training every day.”