Owen Coyle is adamant that Gary Cahill could have made England's World Cup squad this summer, before picking up a serious blood clot.
The Bolton boss has revealed how Cahill was taken ill late last week on the eve of their Premier League clash with Fulham.
The 24-year-old's arm was severely swollen and it was confirmed he had a blood clot, which looks set to end his season prematurely.
"I believe he would have made the World Cup for the summer but we have to make sure first of all he recovers from this blood clot," said Coyle.
"Gary suffered a pain in his arm and it became severely swollen on the day of the game.
"There was no way he could play so we took him straight off to hospital. It turns out he had a blood clot in his arm, so he is going to be out for a number of months.
"It is a severe blow for the boy but our main concern is his welfare. We have to make sure Gary is fit and well.
"He will miss the next few months, it might be for the rest of the season, we will hear from the specialist later.
"The clot needed to be resolved and in doing that you need the medication. It follows you can't play.
"As disappointed as we are, at 24, Gary has a marvellous career ahead of him."
Coyle admitted that the injury picked up was not a football related one.
"I don't think it is a sport-related injury, I think it is just one of those
things that can happen to anyone at any given time, " said the Bolton boss.
"Gary will be disappointed as he has so much to play for. He is one of the best players at the club and he had a big role to play, no doubt about that.
"He also had a chance of going to the World Cup - but that chance will come again. He is a terrific lad and someone we love working with. He has a great mindset.
"Gary will get the best care available to him. As much as we love football, we
will focus on making sure Gary recovers well."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 14th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Tottenham vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Everton |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Blackpool |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs Stoke |
| 17:30 | Chelsea vs West Brom |
| Sunday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Liverpool vs Arsenal |
| Monday 16th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Man Utd vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 21st August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Blackpool |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Tottenham |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Bolton |
| 17:15 | Wigan vs Chelsea |
| Sunday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Newcastle vs Aston Villa |
| 16:00 | Fulham vs Man Utd |
| Monday 23rd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Man City vs Liverpool |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 9th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 4 - 0 Stoke | |
| Wolverhampton 2 - 1 Sunderland | |
| West Ham 1 - 1 Man City | |
| Bolton 2 - 1 Birmingham | |
| Chelsea 8 - 0 Wigan | |
| Hull 0 - 0 Liverpool | |
| Burnley 4 - 2 Tottenham | |
| Arsenal 4 - 0 Fulham | |
| Everton 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Aston Villa 0 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Wednesday 5th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 0 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Fulham 0 - 1 Stoke | |
| Monday 3rd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 2 - 2 Hull | |
| Blackburn 2 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Sunday 2nd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 0 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Fulham 3 - 2 West Ham | |
| Sunderland 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 1st May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 2 - 1 Burnley | |
| Stoke 0 - 0 Everton | |
| Portsmouth 3 - 1 Wolverhampton | |
This week's offering from a sporting week of verbal sparring is dominated by tributes to the late Alex Higgins.
As part of our Look to the Future series we investigate the new 25-man squad rule for Premier League clubs.
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has revealed that he is prepared to sell James Milner, if the price is right.
Fulham are keen to move quickly to bring in a new manager now that Martin Jol has been ruled out of the frame.
Newcastle United have completed the signing of former Everton midfielder Dan Gosling on a four-year contract.
Ajax manager Martin Jol has ruled out a move to Fulham by confirming he will stay on with the Dutch club.
Martin O'Neill has said that James Milner can join Man City if the price is right, while Dan Gosling has moved to Newcastle.