City’s Jesus and Walker Covid blow

Manchester city have suffered a coronavirus outbreak, with the club confirming yesterday that defender Kyle Walker, striker Gabriel Jesus and two unnamed members of staff have tested positive. all four face 10 days of self-isolation in line with Government guidelines — meaning Walker and Jesus are out of the home clash with newcastle today. they are also expected to miss city’s Premier League games against everton and chelsea, but could return for the carabao cup semi-final against Manchester United on January 6. it is a significant blow to Pep Guardiola because right back Walker is a regular starter. and with sergio aguero continuing to struggle with a knee problem and admitting he is not yet fully fit, Jesus’s absence risks leaving city without an out-and-out striker for a time. aguero may now be forced into a heavier workload than planned. his last start was against West ham in October and city’s record goalscorer was an unused substitute in their previous league game against

Southampton, with winger Ferran Torres used up front. Fears are growing over the spread of the virus within football. Walker and Jesus featured against Arsenal in City’s 4-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final win on Tuesday. Sportsmail revealed earlier this week that Premier League clubs in Tier 4 areas would revert to twice-weekly Covid testing. Those under the toughest restrictions are now being screened every 72 hours amid an alarming rise in Covid cases and the discovery of a mutant strain of the virus. Manchester City welcome Newcastle to the Etihad Stadium this evening and the game does not seem to be in jeopardy — despite the spate of positive tests. The club confirmed in a statement yesterday: ‘All four personnel will now observe a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and Government protocol on quarantine. ‘Everyone at the club wishes our colleagues a speedy recovery over the Christmas period ahead of their return to work, training and competition.’ Fulham have confirmed their manager Scott Parker is self-isolating and will not be on the touchline for the home game against Southampton today. He recorded a negative test but someone in his household has tested positive.