Grip leaves hospital after heart scare

Tord Grip, the England assistant coach, left hospital last night with a clean bill of health following a heart scare and is aiming to be back at work by the end of the week.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's right-hand man spent the night under observation at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, in west London, and was monitored further before being discharged. The 62-year-old will now not be attending the African Nations' Cup later this month but is expected back at his desk by the end of the week and could even be at a match this weekend.

"I'm delighted to be out of hospital and feeling well again," he said. "I've had the all-clear and I'd like to thank everyone at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, as well as all those people who sent me their best wishes. I'm looking forward to getting back to work again very soon." Grip's condition was not regarded as serious and there was no suggestion that his workload contributed to the problem which led to him being admitted to hospital.

However, after feeling unwell on his way to the Football Association's Soho Square headquarters on Tuesday, he was examined by the FA's chief medical officer, Dr John Crane, and was sent to hospital as a precaution.

Eriksson, who is on holiday, said in a statement: "I was made aware that Tord was unwell on Tuesday by FA chief executive, Adam Crozier. I called Tord this morning and, despite being in hospital, he was in good spirits. He told me that the medical staff have carried out some tests and he is still being monitored as a matter of precaution.

"Tord assured me he is feeling a lot better and is looking forward to going home. It is always a concern when one of your closest friends is admitted to hospital but I'm confident that Tord is receiving the best possible care and I wish him a speedy recovery."

That was before Grip was later released from hospital and the FA was delighted to announce that the Swede was "back and raring to go again". Its spokesman Adrian Bevington added: "We are sure that he will be seen, as ever, at stadia up and down the country on a regular basis very soon."

Grip, who turns 63 this weekend, jogs almost daily and has been pursuing a frenetic scouting schedule ever since arriving in England when Eriksson was first appointed as England coach in November 2000. He had been due to travel to Mali next Saturday for the start of the African Nations' Cup to watch England's World Cup group opponents Nigeria.

Another scout will be sent instead, but Grip will be alongside Eriksson when England take on the Netherlands in Amsterdam in next month's friendly.