In sickness and in health

Sickness is prevalent. FA Cup games lead to sudden bouts of Flu, which fortunately means you dont get cup-tied? Doesnt it?

Not really, No.

It seems these days that any player who suddenly falls ill on the day of a cup game is immediately about to be sold. Where Ashley Coles frequent Champions League illness was concerned, it may just have been paving the way towards a transfer to another Champions League competing team.

But in the championship? Hardly.

David Norris was sick and couldnt play for Plymouth. The instant conclusion is that it was ahead of any potential transfer. It cant be to avoid an injury. After all, Jim Magilton made it known that he had bid for a player, later confirmed to be Norris, before the games on New Years Day. If there was a concern to avoid injury, then Norris would not have played in Plymouths match at Cardiff.

It cant be to avoid being cup-tied either. There are very few teams who would bid to sign Norris who have any kind of long-term ambitions in this seasons FA Cup. In fact, Ipswich now have no ambitions at all. The Championship and the Premiership are the number one and only priority for most clubs.

The rumours which Norris "sickness" prompted, developed into hysteria when it emerged that Jon Walters was also "sick".

Lets just look at the facts and relax. Players are allowed to be ill aswell and playing a football match holds far more of a challenge than many of us have going to work.