Newcastle United players have been told to self-isolate and stay away from the club’s training ground, with five of the club’s staff having tested positive for coronavirus.
Newcastle United Players in Self-Isolation Following Coronavirus Outbreak
No Training for the Magpies
Manager Steve Bruce revealed that the club had three positive coronavirus cases after last Friday’s 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.
Two more cases were reported prior to Sunday, which resulted in another bout of testing on Sunday.
The club has yet to receive the results of the latest round of tests – however, according to the Guardian, those tests revealed a significant number of players and staff had recorded positive results.
Since then, the Newcastle squad haven’t trained at all, with the club assessing the situation on a day-by-day basis.
Another round of testing is due to take place on Wednesday.
Game Against Villa in Doubt?
Newcastle are due to play Aston Villa on Friday. The club are now facing the prospect of travelling to Villa Park without a single day of training this week.
This has raised the possibility of the game being postponed. However, Premier League protocols state the game would only be postponed if Newcastle had fewer than 15 players available for the game – but each case will be judged individually.
Bruce admitted after the Crystal Palace match that the situation was less than ideal, telling reporters: “It is a concern and difficult to manage. We are trying our utmost to make sure we try and stay as safe as we can.
“Of course my concern is not just the welfare of the players, which is vitally important, but my members of staff too. We will do our best but it is difficult at the moment.”
The Premier League has reported ten new cases of coronavirus this week, up to Sunday. However, it has not said at which clubs they were diagnosed.
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