Four Portsmouth Players Test Positive for Coronavirus - Ipswich Town News
Four members of the Portsmouth squad, who were due to face the Blues at Portman Road today, have tested positive for coronavirus.
The quartet, James Bolton, Andy Cannon, Sean Raggett and Haji Mnoga, are self-isolating with Pompey having notified Public Health England. None of the players had showed any symptoms.
The Portsmouth players and first-team staff were tested on Tuesday in the wake of their FA Cup tie with Arsenal earlier this month.
Several of the Gunners squad had been in contact with Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who confirmed he had the virus last week, at their Europa League tie against the Greek club in late February. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also subsequently tested positive.
Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin said: ”Football is not immune from this virus and I can assure you that it only really hits home when those that you know contract it.”
Portsmouth, fourth in League One, were due to be in Suffolk today to face Town until EFL fixtures were initially postponed until April 3rd and then on Wednesday until April 30th at the earliest.
The Town squad, who have been away from Playford Road back at home since the Friday before last, have not been tested for the virus.
What to read next:
Nunez in Team of the WeekBlues midfielder Marcelino Nunez has been named in the EFL Championship Team of the Week following his two-goal performance as Town won 4-1 at QPR on Saturday.
McKenna: We'll Pick the Team For Watford But Also the Run Coming UpBoss Kieran McKenna says he’ll pick the team which he believes gives Town the best chance of beating Watford at Portman Road on Tuesday, but also with a view to winning the games to come with the Blues at Swansea City on Saturday, then facing a very busy run of fixtures after the international break.
Town Women Beaten By NewcastleIpswich Town Women slipped to a second successive league defeat, losing 4-1 to a buoyant Newcastle United side at the Jobserve Colchester Community Stadium this afternoon.
Hirst: I Should Have Scored MoreGeorge Hirst struck twice against Queens Park Rangers to take his tally to five for the season, but the Town striker believes he should have more goals to his name this term.
Town Women Host NewcastleIpswich Town Women return to action after the international break with a home game against Newcastle United at the JobServe Community Stadium in Colchester this afternoon (KO 2pm, live on
YouTube).