Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren and Brighton’s Yasin Ayari have both been taken ill while away with Sweden.
The pair are now doubts for Friday’s Nations League clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina. They’ve also been kept away from the rest of the squad.
That’s obviously something Celtic and Brighton will want cleared up quickly, particularly with the players currently away from their clubs.
Celtic and Brighton players isolated at team hotel
Sweden’s Fotbollskanalen report Nygren and Ayari both missed Sweden’s latest training session on Wednesday.
Former Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke is also ill, with all three staying behind at the team hotel while their teammates trained.
Sweden press officer Petra Thorén says they’re suffering from cold symptoms. The decision was therefore made to isolate them and try to stop the illness spreading.
“Cold symptoms. They are being kept isolated so that we keep this down to as few people as possible,” she said.
Asked whether they will travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Thorén couldn’t give an answer yet.
“Far too early to say. We’ll see how things develop.”
She was then asked whether the players would need to be fully recovered before getting on the plane.
“I assume they have to be. But it’s too early to say. The information that they’d become ill came today.”
Friday’s game now in doubt
Sweden have called up Eric Smith, who is due to join the squad on Wednesday evening. There was already a fairly small group outside for the latest session. Only 11 outfield players trained, alongside the three goalkeepers.
For Nygren and Ayari, the question is whether they recover quickly enough to travel.
Sweden beat Poland 3-1 on Monday and currently top their Nations League group with six points from six. Bosnia and Herzegovina are second, making Friday’s meeting an important one.
There is no suggestion at this stage that either player’s illness is anything serious. Still, Celtic and Brighton will be keeping an eye on the situation.
With both men isolated and their travel plans uncertain, Sweden should have a clearer idea once they see how they respond over the next day or so.
