Milner hit by mystery bug

Last updated : 16 March 2006 By Norris Winter

The on-loan midfielder was sorely missed as David O'Leary's side crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Manchester City on Tuesday, after also missing the weekend defeat at Blackburn. He is also ruled out of Saturday's trip to Everton and the club have sent him away to recuperate in the hope that he will be ready for the Fulham game on 25 March.

"We've sent him away for a week and he'll return next Thursday so we can assess his condition," Tubbs told the club's official website. "The lad has picked up a virus and we can't nail exactly what it is. We've been advised to give him a week to get it out of his system and I'm sure he’ll be fine to train and go straight back in against Fulham.