Blackpool defender Craig Cathcart has been diagnosed with an enlarged heart after experiencing palpitations.
Vigilance after Muamba incident helped star, says Blackpool boss
Blackpool defender Craig Cathcart has been diagnosed with an enlarged heart after experiencing palpitations.
The 23-year-old Northern Ireland international has been ruled out of Friday's Championship play-off semi-final against Birmingham, but will be able to continue playing in the long-term.
Tangerines boss Ian Holloway believes Cathcart has benefited from the heightened awareness after Bolton's Fabrice Muamba suffered an on-pitch cardiac arrest in March.
"The good news is that everyone is very vigilant after what happened to Muamba," said Holloway.
"Nobody wants to see their player down on the floor like that and fighting for their life.
"Craig came to Phil, our physio, and said he was getting these funny feelings.
No risks
"We decided to take no risks and got him checked out immediately.
"He has a slightly enlarged heart and the specialist doesn't feel that's a problem.
"But because he had another palpitation on Tuesday morning, he told us not to play him on Friday night."
Coincidentally, Cathcart is not the only Blackpool player diagnosed with an enlarged heart.
On-loan Wigan striker Nouha Dicko has a similar condition that was picked up on by his parent club but the 19-year-old has been cleared to continue playing.
Holloway added: "Unlike Craig, he had no palpitations or strange feelings."
