FA Cup faces disarray as clubs are hit by Covid-19

THE FA Cup is in danger of being thrown into chaos this weekend by coronavirus with Southampton’s third-round tie against Shrewsbury on the brink of being called off and Wayne Rooney and the entire Derby County first team self-isolating.

The Football Association will draw the fourth and fifth rounds on Monday to avoid expelling clubs from the Cup. The decision was announced with Southampton expecting their match with Shrewsbury to be called off after an outbreak among their opponents.

As many as 10 members of the League One side’s squad were found to have the virus following testing on Tuesday ahead of Saturday night’s game.

The FA have warned clubs they could be thrown out of the Cup if they fail to play, but Monday’s double-draw could spare Shrewsbury and others the axe. There is room in the calendar for fixtures to be played on Champions League nights if those whose games are called off do not draw clubs still in Europe.

Rooney and his entire first team are set to miss Derby’s tie at Chorley this weekend, but the match is expected to go ahead despite seven players and staff testing positive for Covid-19.

Derby chief executive Stephen Pearce has confirmed the club will send a group of Under-23 and Under-18 players to Chorley.

Derby have closed their training ground until Tuesday after an outbreak following their Championship game at Sheffield Wednesday on January 1. Rooney and the first team are self-isolating.

Wednesday were also struck by coronavirus and shut their Middlewood Road base ahead of Saturday’s tie at Exeter City.

Last week, the FA told clubs that games had to be fulfilled if they had at least 14 fit players. Clubs have been advised to utilise the “wider squad”, so fielding players from junior levels is acceptable.