A positive COVID-19 test has ruled Danny Ings out of the weekend game against Leicester City, according to Southampton manager Ralph Hassenhutl.
The Saints boss, who was speaking during his pre-match press conference on Thursday, added that Ings was potentially contagious during the 1-0 win over Liverpool on January 4, in which Ings scored the winner.
COVID-19 Rules Danny Ings Out of Weekend Premier League Match
Ings ‘May’ Have Been Contagious During Southampton Victory Over Liverpool
Danny Ings scored the winner for Southampton against Liverpool in the Premier League and then tested positive for COVID-19 after the match, and the striker has been in self-isolation since. Ings celebrated his goal with his Saints teammates but Hassenhutl has confirmed that no other players have returned any positive tests since. However, he did say that Ings may have been contagious during the Liverpool match
“That [Ings result] meant that in this game maybe also he was contagious,” said the Saints boss.
“I think it’s 48 hours before a positive test you can be (infected) and we had no further positive tests so far, and that means our protocols we are sticking to and our guidelines we really follow them and are very disciplined are definitely good.”
Return to Training for Ings
Ings can return to training on Friday, January 15, but Hassenhutl will not be using the player against Leicester City on Saturday night as he wants to ensure the player is fully clear of the virus. The Saints boss understands his and the clubs’ responsibility to control the spread of coronavirus amongst footballers.
“You never know but this showed me when you stick to the protocols that you have [you can] control the risk,” he added
Football is being closely monitored over how it deals with the virus amid concerns from authorities over Premier League players, including Erik Lamela and Sergio Reguilon, breaching coronavirus restrictions.
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