Parkinson pleads for players to play if safe over the coronavirus

Phil Parkinson says Sunderland AFC are ‘closely monitoring’ the outbreak of coronavirus – with the risk of players jetting off on international duty identified.

There are now 19 confirmed cases of the virus in the United Kingdom, and the Black Cats are keeping close tabs on the situation – particularly given the fact that a number of their players are set to jet off on international duty in the coming weeks.

With the next international window scheduled for mid-March, Parkinson confirmed that preliminary talks had already been held with the club doctor as to how best to manage the situation.

And Sunderland’s precautions won’t just extend to those representing their country.

The international break hands Parkinson a chance to hand players some time off, but he has urged the Black Cats to be ‘sensible’ when selecting potential holiday destinations.

“We’ve obviously had a meeting with our doctor earlier in the week, because with the international break coming up we’ll have players travelling abroad,” said the Sunderland boss.

“We’re discussing not just the ones away on international duty, but if we do give the lads a few days off there are issues obviously (with them as well).

“So we’re closely monitoring the situation ourselves.”

“You’ve got to be sensible,” he continued.

“If anyone was to go away and couldn’t get back in the country, it wouldn’t look very good on us as a club and them as individuals.

“Hopefully things will improve, but at the moment there’s no sign of that.”

*Newcastle United’s players have been banned from shaking hands – over coronavirus fears.

The club is taking steps to guard against the spread of the virus.

Speaking ahead of today’s home game against Burnley, head coach Steve Bruce said: “There’s a ritual, everyone shakes hands (when they attend training and matches).

“We’ve stopped that on the advice of the doctor. Let’s hope it doesn’t get any worse in this country.”

A number of sporting events have already been affected by the coronavirus outbreak, including rugby union’s Six Nations tournament.