Orient clash with Spurs in doubt as number of players Covid positive

Leyton Orient’ s Car abao Cup tie with Tottenham is in doubt after a number of players at the Sky Bet League Two club tested positive for coronavirus.

The O’s were set to host the Premier League side in the third round this evening, but have closed their Breyer Group Stadium and training ground until further notice.

“Following our game on Saturday 19 September, C ovid -19 testing was conducted on all of our firstteam playing squad ,” a club statement from Orient read .“Today we received formal confirmation which shows that a number of our first-team squad have tested positive for Covid-19.

“We have informed the EF Land Tottenham Hotspur and will make a further announcement regarding Tuesday’s match shortly.”

EFL clubs no longer have to conduct mandatory tests on their players and staff for Covid-19 on a weekly basis this season, as is still the case in the Premier League.

But, ahead of the midweek tie, Spurs paid for Orient to test their squad and staff.

The Orient statement continued :“We have also informed Mansfield Town, Plymouth Arg yle and Oldham Athletic, our three most recent opponents, prior to the public release of this information. Leyton Orient’s priority is the health and well-being of its players and staff. Those who have tested positive will now strictly follow government self-isolation guidelines.

“TheBrey er GroupS tadium and training ground facilities will be closed until further notice.”

TheEFL said it was awaiting results of discussions b et ween club medics and Public Health England before deciding whether the Orient’s game could go ahead.

O’ s boss Ross Embl et on was due to speak at a press conference on Zoom at 3pm yesterday top review the game with Spurs, but that was cancelled.

The cup tie with Tottenham was an emotional fixture for the two clubs given the connection of the late Justin Edinburgh, who died last June at the age of 49 following a cardiac arrest.

Edinburgh won the FA Cup and League Cup at Spurs before he turned his hand to management and guided the O’ s tot heVa nara ma National League title in April 2019.

Meanwhile, Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundog an, pictured, has tested positive for C ovid -19. The player is now in self- isolation .“Ilk ayi snow observing at en-day period of selfisolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine ,” said a City statement.