Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has pulled out of Saturday night's Masters Football Asia game in Singapore after falling ill with a chest infection.
Scholes, who turns 42 next week, was one of the star names in the England Masters, facing up to Germany Masters at Singapore National Stadium.
The 11-time Premier League winner was due to arrive on Friday evening, but wasn't able to board the 12-hour flight from Manchester because he was unwell.
"I'm really sorry to let the fans in Singapore down," Scholes said in a statement released by Masters Football Asia. "I've been looking forward to playing in the stadium and meeting the fans, so this is disappointing.
"I am susceptible to infections, and my main focus now is to get my health in order."
Scholes was a big drawcard because of his connection to Manchester United. Former striker Teddy Sheringham and Singapore-based Paul Parker will now be the only former Red Devils involved in the game.
Steve McManaman, his former England teammate and Liverpool rival, admitted that it was disappointing that Scholes couldn't make it to Southeast Asia for the game.
"The fact that Paul Scholes isn't here is a big disappointment," McManaman said. "I spoke to him today, and he's not well; he's got a very bad chest infection so he's resting at home.
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"He's very upset that he could not be here, and was desperate to come out and see the fans, ex-teammates and players."
Scholes came out of an 18-month retirement in 2012, and played on until May 2013, helping Man United win the 2012-13 Premier League title in Sir Alex Ferguson's last season as manager.
More than three years after his second retirement, he remains an active player in Masters tournaments.
"I look forward to the next opportunity where I can meet fans in Singapore," he added.