Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea defender David Luiz has suspected viral hepatitis

David Luiz 'is suffering from viral hepatitis' and was forced off during Flamengo's Brazilian Cup semi-final against Sao Paulo because of extreme fatigue.

The former Chelsea and Arsenal defender started the first leg of the tie, which Flamengo went on to win 3-1, but was replaced by Fabricio Bruno at half-time.

Reports in Brazil said Luiz, 35, was suffering from a virus, wasn't sleeping properly and was displaying many signs of fatigue.

Flamengo's medical department will now conduct further tests to ascertain how serious Luiz's condition is but he looked glum on the bench during the second-half.

After the game, he told TV Globo: 'Look, I have a little more serious problem. I'm going to do some tests. Then I'll tell you what it is.'

Luiz is in his second season with Flamengo, having signed for them from Arsenal in September last year, and has been in and out of the side.

The cup semi-final, however, was his fourth game during August and he'd completed the full 90 minutes of Sunday's 1-1 draw at Palmeiras in the Brazilian league.

He also featured in both legs of the Copa Libertadores quarter-final against Corinthians, which his team won 3-0 on aggregate.

The Flamengo coach Dorival Junior said after Wednesday night's game: 'It's natural that it's a worrying situation.

'I believe that tomorrow the medical department should give us some information.

'I prefer to leave it without me saying anything, because it would also be frivolous to say something about an athlete who has been pre-evaluated by the medical department.

'Tomorrow, for sure, we will have something more tangible and safer to share with everyone.'

Flamengo are currently third in the Brazilian Serie A table, trailing Palmeiras by nine points.

They are due to take on Argentine side Velez Sarsfield in the Copa Libertadores semi-finals next month.