Boss Joe Royle has revealed that reserves defender Jerrome Sobers isn't the only Town player suffering with flu at the moment. The younger members of the squad appear to have been struck down by a mini-epidemic.

Sobers missed out on the chance to join Boston on loan last week because of the illness but due to other casualties was forced to play in last night's reserve game at home to Arsenal.

Royle says that, so far, the first teamers have escaped: "There's something going round that has struck down some of the younger lads. Thankfully, it hasn't affected any of the first team players."

Reserves skipper Scott Mitchell was on the teamsheet for the Arsenal game but was replaced by Sobers before kick-off. The ex-Ford United man played the majority of the game before being forced off: "Jerrome was all set to go on loan to Boston last week but he became ill and, although he played last night, it was only because we'd had a couple of call-offs. His chest was pounding and he had to come off."

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