Sneijder needs rest to recover from anaemia

ROME - Inter Milan’s Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder appears set for a period of rest after being diagnosed with anaemia.

The 26-year-old footballer told Dutch daily newspaper De Telegraaf that he underwent a cardiological test in Italy after a fainting fit he had last weekend during the break of a Serie A game.

“I then flew to the Netherlands to have a second opinion,” Sneijder said. “The conclusion is that I am afflicted by anaemia and my body is fatigued.”

The midfielder was a key player for the European and Serie A champions in the past season, after which he helped his national team qualify for the 2010 World Cup final lost 1-0 to Spain.