Moyes explains Van Aanholt absence

Patrick van Aanholt was withdrawn from Sunderland's starting XI to face Tottenham on 'medical advice from cardiologists'.

Van Aanholt was named in the starting team for Sunday's game at White Hart Lane but he was withdrawn just 15 minutes before kick-off with Jason Denayer coming in for the Netherlands international at right-back.

Having initially refused to answer questions on the matter, manager David Moyes has revealed that he was left with little choice but to pull Van Aanholt from the team following advice from the Football Association.

"He had the statutory checks with the cardiologists and the FA panel of cardiologists looked at it and advised us really late on Sunday that he should not play until further tests had taken place," Moyes told a press conference on Tuesday.

Van Aanholt's sudden withdrawal prompted a flurry of speculation and Moyes admits he was surprised by the late communication from the FA.

"We are just surprised that the FA panel didn't contact me or contact my doctor until 3.55pm on Sunday afternoon. I have never in my career been put in a situation like that ever, so we had that to deal with," he said.

"We just can't understand why the message would come to us at that time, 30 minutes before the kick-off.

"It was completely outside our control, but it was in our control because we knew we had to make the correct decision for the player and for the football club. We had to do that."

Van Aanholt has undergone further tests and will travel to London for Wednesday's EFL Cup third round clash with QPR with Moyes yet to decide whether or not to include him in his match-day squad.

"He's had some further tests and will travel to London with us, and we will make a decision on that a little bit later," Moyes said.

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