CHRIS Mepham explained how much of an impact the virus which spread through Cherries’ squad had after the World Cup break.

Following Cherries’ 3-0 win over Everton on November 12, top-flight matches took a pause to accommodate the winter World Cup.

Upon the resumption, boss Gary O’Neil revealed his players had been struggling with a virus, with some not fit enough to face Newcastle United for the first game back, on December 20.

Centre-back Mepham was one of the players worst affected and while he did feature at St James’ Park, then missed the trip to Chelsea a week later.

Cherries suffered six straight defeats on the spin, before a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Reflecting on that period after the World Cup and asked how much the virus hampered Cherries’ preparations for matches, Mepham told the Daily Echo: “That certainly didn’t help.

“I can only speak for myself, but the virus really knocked me for six.

“After the World Cup I think I was meant to report back on December 12, integrate back in ready for the Newcastle game.

“And I was in no position where I could come into training, I was stuck in bed, really, really struggling with it.

“Even in that Newcastle game I ended up playing, I didn’t feel anywhere near 100 per cent.

“As a result of that, then picked up either the same illness or a follow-on from that and then missed another week’s worth of training.”

He added: “That’s just one example of how that then affects his (O’Neil’s) team selection.

“Suddenly I’m unavailable. Other lads are picking up illnesses. Stace (Jack Stacey) had it quite bad, Ben Pearson had it bad.

“A lot of lads had it. Of course, that’s not ideal prep.

“I’d like to think now we’ve got a good number of players out on the grass and a good number of players to choose from.

“Hopefully everyone can play their part in helping us get back to where we want to get to.”