Benjani falls ill, a doubt for Arsenal

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce faces a fresh selection headache after new signing Benjani fell ill.

The on-loan Manchester City striker was due to meet fans at the Stadium of Light club shop last night. But the event was called off because the Zimbabwe forward was unwell.

A statement on the club’s website said: “Benjani has had to withdraw due to illness. The club apologises to supporters for any inconvenience caused. The signing session will be re-arranged for a later date.”

Benjani has featured only once, briefly, since his deadline-beating move from City.

He won a debut as an 87th-minute substitute in the 1-1 home draw against Wigan on February 6 and was an unused sub against former club Portsmouth three days later.

Bruce has loaned David Healy and Daryl Murphy to Ipswich, leaving him light on attacking options at Arsenal this weekend if Benjani is not available.

Fraizer Campbell is fit, but there is a chance he could start in a wide midfield role at the Emirates Stadium.

Meanwhile, Paraguay striker Salvador Cabanas – a player who Bruce was keen on – has left intensive care three weeks after being shot in the head.

Cabanas will remain in hospital in Mexico City, but has improved sufficiently to move to a private room.

“His progress has been very good and he is now more agile,” Dr Ernesto Martinez said. “He is taking his medicine by mouth. He is eating normally and is gaining strength.”

It is still not known if Cabanas will make a full recovery from the attack.

Doctors have opted not to remove the bullet from the 29-year-old’s head, as they fear surgery would be too dangerous: Sunderland Echo

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