Pompey put Babayaro on hold
16 Jul 2008 - 14:52:12
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has revealed any potential plans to sign Celestine Babayaro have put on hold after the Nigeria defender was hospitalised with malaria.
Babayaro, 29, contracted the disease during a recent trip to Africa.
The former Chelsea and Newcastle United full-back had been invited to the south coast club for a trial by Redknapp following a brief spell in Major League Soccer with LA Galaxy.
"It's awful for the lad, he's got malaria at the moment after picking it up while back home," Redknapp told The News.
"He didn't feel that great last week but he did alright. We have done a lot of physical training and he performed okay.
"But he's not with us at the moment. He's in a Chelsea hospital recovering.
"For his own sake I hope he recovers, we wish the lad all the best.
"Nothing will be happening on the football front at the moment, we've just got to wait for him to get better - and I really hope he does."