Manchester City striker John Guidetti has spoken of the mystery illness which almost wrecked his career.

City's belief that ­Guidetti will make a full recovery was illustrated last week when they handed him a new three-year contract, with Feyenoord, ­Newcastle, Sunderland and Galatasaray all ­interested too.

"I ate a bit of chicken at my ­girlfriend's birthday party, but it led to food poisoning," explained Guidetti to the Sunday Mirror.

"It got worse when the illness led to a rare virus which badly affected my nervous system.

"The day after playing a game for Feyenoord I couldn't even stand on my right leg. I just fell to the ground. The physio told me to go and do a bit of easy ­cycling on the stationary bike, but I couldn't even do that.

"I was taken to the University ­Hospital in Rotterdam and, when Man City's club doctor, Philip Batty, turned up on my bedside I realised I was in serious danger.

"A professor in the hospital where I was being treated said my career was hanging by a very thin thread. I burst into tears. I saw my whole future crashing down.

"I wanted to win the Dutch title with ­Feyenoord, which was still possible at the time. I wanted to star for Sweden in the Euros.

"And most of all I wanted to break into the first team at Man City, which I would definitely have done if I had not picked up the virus.

"But I just had no power in my right leg. They sent me to a clinic in Italy and all I could do was an exercise to help me get out of a chair. More than that I just couldn't do.

"One minute I was in heaven, the next in hell. I could not believe it."