Before I even saw this thread, I was reading a report ahead of the Bristol City game and saw about Jack Payne. Funnily, it was the very first thing that went through my mind, where's he off too. Although if he has some sort of of throat viral infection, he could easily be out for ten days.
I think that Jack Payne is under the weather and nothing more. If it was anything else Martin Allen would say. One thing about him we can be sure about his his honesty.
The problem players have these days it that they have to be so careful what they take. Can't just take beechams, lemsip etc incase they contain a banned substance.