Bristol Rovers: Two matches called off after Covid outbreak:
BRISTOL Rovers’ players and staff must self-isolate for 10 days after a Covid-19 outbreak forced their next two games to be postponed.
Rovers were due to travel to The Valley to face Charlton Athletic last night, before hosting Oxford United at the weekend.
But about seven hours before last night’s game in the capital was scheduled to kick-off, Rovers announced they had informed the EFL they would be unable to fulfil their fixtures in the next 10 days.
Rovers are yet to confirm how many people have tested positive - or when the tests were - but all players and staff who have come into contact with those who have returned a positive Covid test have to enter a period of self-isolation.
NHS guidelines, endorsed by the EFL, instruct people who have tested positive for coronavirus or those who have come into contact with people with the virus to selfisolate for 10 days.
The guidelines state that anyone who has tested positive must selfisolate for ten days from the day when symptoms started, if they are showing symptoms, or 10 days from the day of the test if they had not been showing symptoms.
For those coming into contact with someone who has tested positive, they must self-isolate for 10 days from when they were last in contact with the person or persons.
That means Rovers’ first-team squad are set to be unable to train together before Christmas Eve ahead of the Boxing Day trip to MK Dons.
A spokesperson for the EFL confirmed an investigation into the outbreak will take place, which is standard practice for all instances of Covid-19 among EFL clubs.
The spokesperson said: “Bristol Rovers’ next two Sky Bet League One fixtures have been suspended.
“The club has advised the EFL it is unable to fulfil the fixtures due to an outbreak of Covid-19, with players and first-team staff required to self-isolate in line with EFL and Government guidance.
“”As a result, the upcoming fixtures with Charlton Athletic and Oxford United scheduled to take place tonight and on Saturday respectively, have been suspended and the circumstances surrounding the postponements will now be the subject of an investigation in accordance with EFL Regulations.” » Jayden Mitchell-Lawson’s time at Bristol Rovers appears to be up with Derby County set to cut his loan short in January.
The 21-year-old has played just five games this season and has been out of favour under Paul Tisdale. The Rams prospect has not played for the Gas since early November.
Mitchell-Lawson posted a picture of himself back at Derby’s training base on Instagram yesterday, and they are expected to formalise his return when the transfer window opens on January 2.