Blues target Bersant Celina is facing three months out of football with the heart problem which Dijon manager David Linarès revealed at the weekend.

The 24-year-old contracted Covid late in June but returned to his club in mid-July, however, as a result of the virus subsequently developed pericarditis.

Kosovo-based journalist Arlind Sadiku said in a tweet that Celina is required to rest and expresses fears for his career.

“Bersant Celina has an infection (pericarditis) and needs to rest for three months,” Sadiku wrote.

“He is receiving treatment at home, and will return to the club in a month.

“We hope that this infection doesn’t turn into a chronic disease, because it could end his career.”

The NHS website says the condition often follows a virus: “Pericarditis causes chest pain and a high temperature. It's not usually serious, but it can cause serious health problems.”

As previously reported, Town have been in talks with the former loanee about a return to Portman Road for much of the summer.

Town were facing opposition from a number of other clubs for the forward's signature, reportedly including Championship Hull City and Coventry City, and clubs in the Dutch top flight where Celina previously played on loan with FC Twente in 2016/17, but remained interested until the heart problem emerged.

Celina spent 2017/18 on loan with the Blues from Manchester City, making 26 starts and 12 sub appearances, scoring eight times, in a successful spell under Mick McCarthy’s management.

Photo: TWTD

BlueBoots added 15:16 - Aug 2 Wishing you a speedy recovery, Bersant!
16

Paddy39 added 15:28 - Aug 2 Bersant, hope you can make a full recovery as we'd love to see you back here in the blue of Ipswich Town.
11

oldbri added 15:33 - Aug 2 I wish you good health , good fortune and a good loan move to Ipswich town.
5

BeattiesBackPocket added 15:35 - Aug 2 Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery whoever he ends up signing for
6

Monkey_Blue added 15:48 - Aug 2 Waiting for someone on here to say this is clearly a hoax given the number of idiots out there who think COVID is some conspiracy theory. Wishing him a speedy and full recovery. In the Top 5 of Mick's loan signings.
0

DebsyAngel added 15:59 - Aug 2 Had that myself - not fun at all. Get well soon Bersant x
1

exeterblue10 added 16:25 - Aug 2 Very speedy recovery Bersant. All the best.
0

JewellintheTown added 16:34 - Aug 2 Sad to hear and wishing him the best for a full and speedy recovery. Might initially sound callous as there isn't ever a good time to get this infection but relieved for him and the club this happened while he was still back home to minimise disruption for him, rather than him uprooting and travelling over here and then finding out and having to return back home. That would be an additionally terrible thing to go through while unwell. Hopefully home surroundings will help him recover better than all the turmoil of a move. Best wishes to him and hope to see him here in the future.

3

dirtydingusmagee added 16:40 - Aug 2 wish you well, hope you are soon back in action.
0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:45 - Aug 2 Really bad luck, and very important that he doesn't come back too soon. I'm sure his doctors will be aware of that. Hoping for a full recovery. Wearing an ITFC shirt in the future would be a bonus.
2

Bazza8564 added 17:41 - Aug 2 Get well soon fella, hope to see you in January wearing our blue
0

leftie1972 added 17:59 - Aug 2 Wish you well soon.
0

britbiker added 19:20 - Aug 2 Had this last year. Spent over a week in Basildon hospitall heart unit. They initially thought I had a heart attack. Was tested in hospital for covid but negative. Starting to wonder if they used the rubbish Chinese lateral flow tests and maybe covid had set it off as my heart was in excellent health prior. Wish him a full recovery.
1

jas0999 added 19:45 - Aug 2 Terrible news, hope he gets well.
1

Blue_Moses added 21:20 - Aug 2 I've had this before and it's not fun
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roystevensonsrocket added 21:44 - Aug 2 Just get better lad . Football is only a job but you only have one life . Main thing is to look after yourself get better and take medical advice .
2

Tractorboy58 added 09:13 - Aug 3 I recently had this same condition. Basically an infection of the outer lining of the heart. Caused me to collapse and it was thought it was a heart attack ..but it was Pericarditis and with rest and medication am now fully recovered, so I reckon that he should be OK and fully fit, assuming itdoesn't do any lasting damage ...fingers crossed
1

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