Eagle-eyed Tottenham Hotspur fans noticed that defender Joe Rodon disappeared from the bench in the final match against Norwich and never returned.
The 24-year-old was named as the only senior centre-back on the bench for the match, with Spurs needing to win the game at Carrow Road to secure their fourth place finish and Champions League football next season. However, some of the supporters at the game noticed that the Wales international did not emerge for the second half and was not among the players celebrating in front of the travelling fans.
Rodon was also not in the dressing room as Golden Boot winner Son Heung-min and Spurs head coach Antonio Conte made speeches to the players after the match.
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football.london understands that the reason behind Rodon's sudden disappearance was that during the first half he began suffering from the stomach virus that had affected various Tottenham players in the previous 10 days. The Welshman spent the second half feeling the symptoms of the 24-hour bug that had produced vomiting, fevers and stomach problems for some of his team-mates.
The defender ended up joining up with the Wales squad for his international duty on Wednesday, which was a day later than he was meant to, to ensure the bug had completely left his system.
Rodon, who made 10 appearances for Spurs this season, is likely to get a move away from the club this summer as he searches for regular Premier League football. The club is expecting interest from various sides during the transfer window, including from promoted clubs, and then the decision will be made over whether to loan out the young defender or cash in on him after just two years at Spurs.
"Joe is not playing many games with us but despite this he was fit. Joe is a good player but a really really great man," Conte told football.london last month after watching him impress for Wales. "He had broken two ribs [midway through the season]. He did every training session. He was always available and I know very well the pain you feel when you break a rib. It means you're a great man.
"Joe has to continue in this way, work hard and have this satisfaction. I repeat to play this way with Wales in an important game in World Cup qualification, it means you're working hard and well. I always say this: I have a group of players working well, they're very focused and working to improve the level."
