Sunderland defender Patrick van Aanholt, who was withdrawn from the Sunderland lineup to face Tottenham on Sunday after the club were informed of the results of tests on his heart, has told Voetbal International he was "surprised."
Van Aanholt, 26, was due to start the game at White Hart Lane, which Sunderland lost 1-0, but was withdrawn from the XI half an hour before kickoff.
He said: "I was surprised, because there is really nothing to worry about."
Television pictures showed the Dutch defender reacting with shock when teammate Jason Denayer told him he would be starting in his place.
Sunderland boss David Moyes told his prematch news conference for the EFL Cup game against Queens Park Rangers that the player was stood down on Football Association advice following cardiology tests.
He has been given the all-clear and could feature at Loftus Road.
"I've been sick last week," Van Aanholt said. "I picked up a virus and that would have crept in my body, possibly even to my heart.
"We had to make a scan, but the scan is offered late or too late at the FA and therefore I had to sit in the stand. I felt nothing in my heart. I'm just fit."
Speaking after Van Aanholt was withdrawn for the team for White Hart Lane, Moyes said: "He had the statutory checks with the cardiologists and the FA panel of cardiologists looked at it and advised us really late on Sunday that he should not play until further tests had taken place."
However, the FA, which carries out around 1,400 screens across England and Wales each year, has insisted it had no formal involvement in the matter.