ANTONEE’S SHORT-TERM PAIN PAVES WAY FOR LONG-TERM GAIN

RARELY can the collapse of a life-changing transfer be seen as a blessing in disguise, but it was for Antonee Robinson.

The Wigan full-back was due to complete a dream move to AC Milan on deadline day, only for scans during his medical to reveal an irregular heart rhythm. Unable to conduct further tests before the window closed, the Italian giants pulled out of the deal.

Since then, Robinson has been extensively monitored and will now undergo a medical procedure called an ablation which destroys or scars heart tissue in order to correct the arrhythmia. Thereafter, he should be free to play on.

Not all arrhythmias are dangerous, and that may well have proved the case with Robinson. Yet undiagnosed heart conditions have claimed the lives of many footballers over the years, and an arrhythmia was the cause of Fabrice

Muamba’s near-fatal collapse whilst playing for Bolton in 2012. He, too, was perfectly fine right up until the moment he died for 78 minutes. It goes without saying that had Robinson not travelled to the San Siro that day in January he would still be legging it around in blissful ignorance of the ticking time bomb in his chest. A potential tragedy has been averted. It will almost certainly be the best move he never made.