http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.a...E23769,00.html

Heart virus downs NBA star

HOUSTON Rockets forward Juwan Howard has announced that he will miss the remainder of the NBA season owing to a viral infection in his heart.

Howard had been sidelined with a sprained right knee and was hoping to return for the play-offs.

He said his knee is "responding well to treatment", but an unrelated infection - viral myocarditis - will keep him from rejoining the team.

"This condition caused some irregularities to my heart rhythm, which have subsequently subsided and returned to normal," Howard said.

"However, this will prevent me from participating in conditioning workouts and games for the next few months. On the advice of my doctors, I will take a conservative approach for resuming my regular training regimen in order to ensure a full recovery so that I can be ready for the start of next season.