Wanderers have confirmed that club captain Ricardo Santos has taken positive steps in his recovery from the viral infection which hospitalised him at the weekend.

A statement released this afternoon on Twitter stated that while the defender remains in hospital, he has shown improvement over the last few days.

Santos required help breathing on Friday and Saturday after being struck down by a virus, which had also been picked up by his child.

“Rico is feeling much improved, but has remained in hospital and is undergoing tests following a viral infection,” the club wrote. “The skipper has been in touch with staff and team-mates and we wish him well for a continued recovery.”

Vice captain Gethin Jones said at the weekend that news of their team-mate’s sudden rush to hospital had “hit hard” in the build up to the Bristol Rovers game.

“Rico went into hospital yesterday afternoon and I dropped him a message straight away. He told me he was struggling to breathe,” he said.

“We will look after his missus. I know a lot of the girls are close to her and his two kids as well, so we will make sure they are OK. We will make sure he gets the best possible recovery.

“We were just worried. Rico is never injured, never ill.

“The first thing he texted to me was: ‘Geth, I hope you don’t get this. I am really struggling.’ “You know with Rico that if he isn’t there it must be something bad because he never misses training, he never misses a game.

“We had a big conversation before the game and the lads just wanted to get out there and play for Rico.”

Santos has been virtually ever-present for Wanderers this season but was replaced by Eoin Toal in the 1-1 draw against Bristol Rovers on Friday night.

The Northern Irishman looks set to continue in the role for this weekend’s visit to Shrewsbury Town.

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