Hull game in doubt as Burton are struck by Covid- 19

HULL CITY’S League One home game with Burton Albion on Saturday is in doubt after several members of the Brewers’ firstteam squad and staff tested positive for Covid- 19.

A Burton statement released on Wednesday afternoon read: “After the latest round of testing, Burton Albion Football Club has had several members of the first team squad and staff confirmed as positive for Covid- 19.

“The health and safety of everyone at the club remains our paramount concern and those players and staff affected are now self isolating away from the club.

“No- one testing positive was involved in last night’s game ( Tuesday).

“The EFL has been notified and we await a decision on whether this weekend’s fixture away at Hull will go ahead.”

City’s scheduled home game with Accrington Stanley on November 3 was postponed due to positive tests among Stanley players and staff.

Meanwhile, Hull chief Grant McCann has praised the character of teenager Callum Jones, who marked his surprise elevation to the captaincy with his first senior goal in the 2- 0 win at Harrogate Town in the Papa John’s Trophy.

Jones, who showed his versatility by switching from midfield to right- back, has yet to make his mark at league level, but McCann says it is only a matter of time before he does.

McCann – whose side will qualify for the next stages if they draw against Grimsby Town next Tuesday – said: “He is an unbelievable kid. He played at right- back in the last Under- 23s game at Charlton.

“It is not his position. We did not want to risk Josh Emmanuel and Lewie ( Coyle) will be back training with us on Thursday.

“So we had to play someone there and it was a toss- up between him and Regan ( Slater). As Callum played there last week, I thought he would slot back in there and he was excellent.

“He has an unbelievable attitude and if you ask him to do something, he does it. He is going to have a bright future, he is a very, very good player.

“He has been in and around it ( in the league). We have 25 or 26 players and he’s always in the 20- man squad, so he’s very close to it. He has good competition

( in midfield), but it will just be a matter of time. Hopefully, it is sooner rather than later.”

McCann also confirmed that keeper George Long was not involved on Tuesday as a precaution with his wife having experienced some symptoms associated with Covid- 19.