'A scary disease' – Brighton star reveals mystery illness and weight loss
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Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari admitted he lost four kilos due to illness following their 0-0 Premier League draw against Ipswich.
Ayari, 21, has been a key player for the Seagulls this term with five Premier League appearances and two Carabao Cup outings so far this term.
The Sweden international was however forced to miss the 4-2 loss at Chelsea on September 28 due to illness.
Ayari returned to the matchday squad for the 3-2 win against Tottenham at the Amex Stadium last Sunday and is now on international duty with Sweden ahead of their upcoming Nations League fixtures in Slovakia (Friday) and Estonia (Monday).
Ayari explained he felt sick after Brighton's Premier League stalemate with Ipswich and couldn't eat ahead of the Chelsea fixture.
“I played 90 minutes [against Ipswich]," said Ayari to Aftonbladet. "Then I got sick, very sick. It was a scary disease. I don’t know what happened. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t close my mouth and lost four kilos.
“I think it was some corona thing or something, I don’t know. But it was some sick thing.
"Before the match against Chelsea I still couldn’t eat. So I just ate soup and drank stuff before the game. There was a bit of a lack of energy, but now I’m back and it feels good.”
Ayari will hope to be back in the Brighton first team as they resume action at Newcastle on October 19.