PORT Adelaide forward John Butcher has been admitted to hospital with viral meningitis after a wave of illness hit the club ahead of its round 19 clash against Collingwood.  

 

Power teammate Jarrad Redden has also been sent to hospital with similar symptoms but his diagnosis has not been confirmed.

 

Butcher was withdrawn from the club's SANFL squad after being hospitalised on Thursday evening.

 

Coach Ken Hinkley confirmed the diagnosis on Sunday night following the Power's six-point loss to Collingwood.

 

He said Redden, who is recovering from a knee injury, was undergoing similar tests to Butcher but his illness had not been confirmed.

 

"We've got a number of people around the football club who unfortunately in the last 48-72 hours have become a bit ill," Hinkley said.  

 

The coach would not use the illnesses as an excuse for his team's disappointing performance on Sunday evening, which saw the Power slip one game behind fourth-placed Fremantle.   

 

"We went into the game with our full squad," he said.