JAMIE CARRAGHER has warned a Premier League star is bound to test positive for Covid-19.
Tests will be carried out on players today after clubs agreed a return to training.
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Jamie Carragher believes a Premier League player will definitely test positive for Covid-19 when results come back today
Former Liverpool and England star Carragher – now a pundit with Sky Sports – said: “I’ll be absolutely amazed if no one tests positive for Covid-19 up and down this country. I fully expect that to happen.
“I think the results come out this afternoon and it is something we should not get massively hysterical about if it does happen.
“I think it will happen and that player then has to isolate. But that’s bound to happen.
“It’s happened in other countries and it will happen in the Premier League.”
The Prem hopes to resume fixtures behind closed doors next month and runaway leaders Liverpool – 25 points clear at the top – have been told there will be a trophy presentation if they are crowned champs.
But Kop legend Carragher believes there are more important issues at stake – after Watford skipper Troy Denney claimed he may refuse to return to training due to coronavirus fears and the increased risk to BAME stars.
Watford skipper Troy Denney claimed he may refuse to return to training due to coronavirus fears and the increased risk to BAME starsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Carra – speaking on Sky’s Football Show – said: “I am sure Jordan Henderson would love to lift the trophy. I think we all accept Liverpool are going to win the title at some stage in the next nine games, whenever that will be.
“Lifting the trophy if it’s safe to do so then yeah, great. But I don’t think Liverpool have really been the story. In the last month to six weeks it’s been more about relegation and the teams down there.
“The two things that stand out for me are quarantine and BAME players.
“We’ve heard Troy Deeney saying he won’t go back to training and you have to respect that.
“If a player doesn’t feel safe or sound to go back he can’t go back – and if that’s the case across the League you have to hold off.
“A player’s safety is more important than anyone and this was always going to be the case that one or two players in every squad may not feel safe.
“I don’t think that would stop the Premier League from going on unless players said en masse they didn’t want to be involved, that would be a big problem.
“But if there are one or two players at every club then it’s something clubs and the Premier League are going to have to accept or try to get them on board.
“We know there is greater risk to BAME players and that’s something right to pick up on. Can there be more help given to this situation with regards to the testing?
“In terms of the quarantine. If players test positive now they can self-quarantine now but that’s something up for discussion the further we go down the line with training.”
Carragher reckons most top-flight players will eventually agree to return to action.
He said: “Premier League stadiums and training grounds will be the safest workplaces to go back to and I think we’ve always got to go back to that.
“The Premier League are doing everything they can to make it as safe as possible. It’s never going to be risk-free, because it probably won’t be risk-free for maybe the next six to 12 months.
“But it will be as safe as any working place – and if the Premier League put that to the players I am still convinced the majority of them will want to play and train.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
