Carnell has been sidelined for months with a muscle strain

His latest illness came just days after the Germany-based star finally got back onto the pitch for the first time in months.

The left back made his first appearance for his new club Borussia Moenchengladbach in the German Cup earlier this month.

He played for the last 11 minutes of the game against Borussia Dortmund, after months on the sidelines.

Carnell, whom last played for South Africa at the World Cup finals in South Korea, had been sidelined by a muscle strain since moving to Gladbach from VfB Stutgart on a free transfer at the end of last season.

He had been hoping to resurrect his career in the Bundesliga with the move but broke down in training, leaving him without a chance to make his debut for months.

But Carnell recovered enough to be included in the squad for the match against Dortmund in the Cup only to be admitted to hospital days later with kidney stones.

Just how long Carnell will remain sidelined now depends on the treatment but it is not expected that he will get any more playing time before the end of the year.

Carnell's absence has already cost him his place in the South African side.