Wigan Athletic defender Juan Carlos Garcia has been diagnosed with Leukaemia, Malky Mackay has confirmed.
The full-back has spent the season on loan at CD Tenerife so far this season, but made no appearances and has returned to Wigan.
The Latics revealed last week that the Honduras international had developed a blood disorder and was in hospital and that a full diagnosis had not been made, but manager Malky Mackay has confirmed that he has a form of leukaemia.
In his pre-Reading press conference he said: "We've had some bad news as far as that's concerned - he has a form of leukaemia.
"Juan Carlos is in the Christie Hospital in Manchester.
"The club doctor, Doctor (Ansar) Zaman, has been truly sensational as far as the care and attention with the whole dealing of the matter as far as Juan Carlos feeling ill and having problems - from that point to the point where we got him to a specialist quickly and got the diagnosis done
"(Chief executive) Jonathan Jackson, myself and the doctor have had various chats on it. We've flown his mother, his wife and his sister over form Honduras to be with him and arranged accommodation close to the hospital as well.
"It's something that is obviously a real blow for Juan Carlos' family and everybody connected with the football club. We're going to make sure that he gets the best care possible.
"I went in to see Juan Carlos and he was incredibly upbeat and his spirits were strong. He's going to fight this and make sure he gets through this for the sake of his wife and kids. Everybody at the club is wishing him all the best as I'm sure that all our fans are."
Garcia is only 26-years-old and from everybody at Football League World, we wish for him to get well soon.
Wigan are currently in 23rd place in the Sky Bet Championship having accumulated 22 points this season and are nine points off of safety.
The Latics have only won one game out of their previous 10 league games, with that win coming in a 2-0 away victory against Leeds United at Elland Road on Boxing day.