On-loan Blues forward left kicking his heels after Covid lays waste to festive programme
POMPEY’S festive fixture list has been impacted by a number of coronavirus cases in the Fratton Park camp.
Jack Whatmough and four other players tested positive for Covid-19, meaning the Boxing
Day fixture at home to Swindon Town and the trip to Bristol Rovers tomorrow night were postponed.
And despite being out on loan, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild is also in a similar situation and won’t play another game in 2020.
The forward has been thriving at Bromley, after returning to his former club in September.
However, the National League outfit had a positive coronavirus test before Christmas and were subsequently placed into a 10-day isolation period.
As a result, their Boxing Day game versus Sutton United was cancelled along with their meeting against Dagenham & Redbridge tomorrow and trip to Sutton on Saturday.
‘Following confirmed positive Covid-19 test results within the squad, the club has been placed into 10-day isolation period with immediate effect,” said Bromley in a statement on their club website.
‘The safety of our players and staff has always been at the forefront of our actions during this pandemic and, in line with government and National League guidance, the club will now be closed for first-team activity and staff will isolate for 10 days.
‘We will update supporters on any further news but for now supporters should note that our Boxing Day home fixture will be postponed, as will our two away fixtures at Dagenham & Redbridge and Sutton United. New dates for these matches will be confirmed in due course.
‘In the meantime, we wish members of our staff a quick recovery and we hope everyone in the community is keeping safe and well at this time.’
Bromley’s hiatus represents a blow for Hackett-Fairchild.
The ex-Charlton Athletic man has been in excellent form, scoring two goals in 12 games to thrust the Ravens into the promotion race.
He was also named man of the match in Bromley’s 1-0 victory over Solihull Moors in front of the BT Sport cameras earlier this month.
Hackett-Fairchild assisted Michael Cheek’s first-half goal and was rewarded with a £200 charitable donation, which went to Chartwell Cancer Trust.
The 22-year-old joined the Blues for an undisclosed fee last January, but made just one appearance before being loaned back to Bromley to get playing regularly again.
Hackett-Fairchild’s loan at Hayes Lane is due to expire on Sunday.
Reeco Hackett-Fairchild has scored two goals in 12 games for Bromley