Kitchee's top scorer has deadly muscle condition

Champions Kitchee may have to start the season without top scorer Jorge Tarres because of a muscle inflammation - which is potentially fatal.

The 30-year-old (pictured) did not show up as expected for Kitchee's first pre-season practice in Tsing Yi yesterday, when the First Division champions began preparations for the Barclays Asia Trophy this month, a tournament that features the English Premier League sides Chelsea, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers.

'Tarres is still in Barcelona waiting for a medical report on a muscle in his arm,' Kitchee public relations manager Jessica Ng said. 'He has been part of our plans for the new season but we were informed only recently about his health situation.

'We would of course welcome him back because he proved how good he was in his first season with us, but health must always come first and neither the club nor the player want to take any risks.'

Ng said Tarres' mother suffered from a similar problem and died from the condition. 'If he has also got the same problem because of heredity, he will need medical treatment and we have no idea when he can come back,' added Ng.

'But it is too early to say if we will look for a replacement. We are monitoring the situation closely.'

The former Espanyol B player made a huge impression in his first season in Hong Kong, scoring 12 goals in the league and three in the cup competitions to become the club's top scorer. He was also elected into the League XI at the annual Footballer Awards.