Jackett: Nobody’s in a bad way but a few do feel rough
KENNY JACKETT has revealed the Pompey quintet affected by coronavirus are ‘slightly rough’ but not ‘serious cases’.
But the Blues’ boss is unable to pinpoint how they contracted the disease.
Jack Whatmough and the four unnamed team-mates were in the squad for last Friday’s 2- 0 win at Hull City.
Whatmough fell ill on the morning of the game, while the others have since failed tests.
As a result, Pompey’s Boxing
Day fixture at home to Swindon Town and the trip to Bristol Rovers next Tuesday night have been postponed.
Meanwhile, the training ground has been shut since Sunday as a precaution.
Jackett told The News:
‘Although we have five positive tests and there are a few people feeling slightly rough and the worse for wear, there are no serious cases.
‘Aside from the lads that have been affected, the rest of the boys are all good.
‘We need this bit of a break to make sure that it stops circulating. Also for the guys who have been in direct contact, it will help them recover.
‘Coronavirus cases in football only reflect society. ‘There’s an increase in cases in our area, we have moved into tier four, so that is obviously reflected in the players and number of cases we have. ‘We have to make sure it doesn’t spread, so have closed the training ground down for a few days and hopefully can pick it up again next week. ‘There is nobody in a bad way, if you like, but there are a few people feeling rough.’ Pompey’s training bubble had this season been highly effective in keeping out the effects of coronavirus. That was until the end of last week. Jackett added: ‘All five players travelled to Hull, but didn’t necessarily come into contact with Jack more than anyone else, not that we can see. ‘It is ver y difficult to estimate how it happened. ‘You can go for a challenge with an opposition player or maybe a clash in training. ‘Tr ying to trace back is almost impossible when you start looking at the permutations.’ Pompey’s next scheduled game is away to Accrington Stanley on Saturday, Januar y 2.