CONOR Doyle misses Derby County's under-21 fixture today as he is in America recovering from an operation to remove his appendix.
Doyle was rushed into hospital during the club's mini break to Miami last week.
He has now returned to his family home in Dallas, Texas, but he is not allowed to fly back to England for a few weeks.
"We are in the hands of the doctors," said manager Nigel Clough. "It was a particularly nasty appendicitis. He is not allowed to fly externally for maybe three or four weeks because of the nature of the operation."
Clough said Doyle suddenly felt unwell and started being sick.
"We thought it was food poisoning at first because he was being sick," Clough added. "Then he was rushed into hospital at about 2.30 in the morning in an awful lot of pain.
"The only good thing is he's at home! He was allowed to fly internally and went home to Dallas, where he will spend some time recuperating.
"Had it happened to one of the English lads, we would have had more of a problem."
An appendix operation was not the birthday present Doyle wanted.
He was 21 on Saturday and members of his family had planned to spend a few days with him at Derby's hotel in Miami.
"His mum, uncle and gran came to see him but they ended up spending more time in the hospital with him!" said Clough.
"It was good they were there, and they will take care of him now until he comes back."
Doyle is leading scorer for the under-21s who return to action against Birmingham City at the Blues' Wast Hills training ground this afternoon (1pm). The American Under-20 international forward's four goals in the last four games has helped the side make an unbeaten start to the season.
Derby's under-21 fixture away to Sheffield United later this month has been put back 48 hours. The game was due to be played on Monday, October 22, but will now take place at the Blades' training ground on Wednesday, October 24 (1pm).
