THE Shop n Save Lautoka Blues camp has been hit by a viral infection with four key players missing yesterday's training session ahead of Sunday's O-League clash.
Apisai Smith, Arvindra Naidu, Samuela Kautoga and Malakai Waqa are down with sickness.
Lautoka Football Association president Shalendra Prasad said the players felt unwell and complained of fever and body pains.
He said the players were attended to by a doctor and were on medication.
"This is the first time this has occurred," Prasad said.
"We cannot explain why this has happened, however the team management is closely monitoring the players."
Lautoka will face Tafea FA in the third O-League match at Churchill Park.
This is a very important match for the Blues because a win will see them stretch their lead to five points in the group with two more rounds remaining next year.
Blues coach Imdad Ali said the players brushed up on their combinations this week.
He said Tafea would pose a threat to the Blues.
"They are unbeaten like us," Ali said.
"There is a lot to play for. We will not underestimate Tafea. They have some players who have played at the national level."
Tafea FC will not lack any skill with four players from their national beach soccer side in the squad.
They include Silas Namatak, Fredy Vava, Jonah Turu and Francois Sakama.
Vanuatu defeated Fiji 5-4 in the Oceania beach soccer playoffs in Tahiti in July.
LFA boss Prasad has thanked the Lautoka City Council for allowing the Blues to train at Churchill Park.
Prasad said the team had been training twice daily at the venue.
Tickets for the match are on sale at the LCC.
Meanwhile, no action has been taken against suspended players Jone Vonu Junior, Semesa Nakosia, Niumaia Tagi and Samuela Drudru. Vonu Junior, Nakosia and Drudru were suspended for unethical behaviour during their opening O-League match in the Solomon Islands against Marist FC.
Tagi was temporarily suspended after the IDC for disrupting Lautoka's O-League campaign by taking the players on a drinking spree to Ba.
The match between the Blues and Tafea FC kicks off at 3pm.