VICHY (France) - FIVE players with French top flight side AS Monaco have the flu and are undergoing tests to determine if they might have H1N1 flu, officials said on Friday, saying the cases were 'suspect.'

Municipal officials at Allier, in eastern France where the squad are in pre-season training, said the exact nature of the players' illness was unclear.

'They are taking Tamiflu and paracetamol as a precaution,' a source said, saying the swine flu virus A (H1N1) could not necessarily be ruled out.

But he added that the players did not appear to show any symptoms of serious illness.

As a precaution the club cancelled a Saturday friendly with local side Clermont.

'There is no cause for alarm,' insisted club doctor Philippe Kuentz. -- AFP