http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/sport.cfm?id=94280

31st July 2001
Angus Wright

DUNDEE stressed yesterday that there had been no diagnosis of the condition of Javier Artero, who was reported to be undergoing tests for multiple sclerosis.

The 26-year-old Spanish midfielder was admitted to hospital after complaining of feeling unwell last week, and his condition is giving cause for concern, but he is said to be comfortable and in good spirits.

The serious nature of Artero’s condition was not revealed at first, and his illness was described as a bad mouth infection, because he had recently had a tooth removed.

However, it later emerged that he had been complaining of double vision, a numb feeling in his limbs, headaches and nausea.

A club spokesman said: "Dundee Football Club can confirm that Javier Artero is undergoing medical tests at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, after complaining of feeling unwell towards the end of last week.

"While his condition is giving cause for concern, it must be stressed that doctors have made no diagnosis of his condition at this early stage and it will be a number of days until test results are available."

Artero is being kept in good spirits by his family, his team-mates and the public.

The spokesman added: "Javier is comfortable, in good spirits and is grateful for the many goodwill messages that the club has already received on his behalf from Dundee fans and other members of the public.

"Understandably, this is an uncertain time for Javier and his family. Dundee Football Club requests people, including members of the press, to respect the family’s privacy.

"Javier is a popular and important member of our family at Dundee Football Club. All our thoughts are with Javier, his wife Debora and their family at this time."

Fellow footballer Brian Irvine, who was diagnosed as suffering from MS six years ago, intends to get in touch with Artero to offer support if doctors find the former Real Madrid player has the illness, but he insisted it should remain a private matter.

"I know from my own experience that so-called messages of hope, although well-intended, did nothing to help me," said Irvine, a former Dundee player. "My help would be on a personal level and I hope to get in touch."

Irvine was with Aberdeen when he discovered he had MS, and although the illness was a threat to his career, he was back in the game four months later. The 36-year-old still plays for Ross County in the First Division.

Artero is the third Scottish Premier League player to suffer a serious health scare over the past year.

Former Celtic defender Alan Stubbs had testicular cancer, and was later given the all-clear, and his Parkhead team-mate Morten Wieghorst has made a slow recovery from brain disease Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Meanwhile, Argentine defender Luis Medero has completed his move to Dundee, although the 28-year-old is unable to make his debut until his Italian passport is authenticated.

There was good news for one player at the club yesterday when midfielder Mark Robertson was called into the Australia squad for the Asia-Oceania Challenge Cup match in Japan on 15 August.

"One of the main reasons I came to Dundee was to put myself on the map and that’s what has happened," said Robertson, who has yet to feature at Dens this season, and earned his call-up on the back of performances last season.

"The only snag is that I’ll likely miss the Livingston and Hearts games - I just hope the club is okay about that, especially as I want to stay involved in the Australian squad in future."