Huth diagnosed with mildest form of meningitis

STOKE, England (AP) -- Stoke says defender Robert Huth has been diagnosed with the mildest form of viral meningitis following further tests in hospital.

The Premier League said on its website Thursday that the news is "encouraging,'' adding that "it is too early to predict the length of Huth's absence'' but it will be "at least two weeks before he is available to return to action.''

The 27-year-old German was hospitalized on Monday after beginning to show meningitis symptoms during Stoke's 11-day preseason tour of the United States. He will remain in the hospital until he has completed a course of antibiotics.

Huth, who has played 19 internationals for Germany, will almost definitely miss Stoke's Premier League opener at Reading on Aug. 18.

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