Stoke in Covid-19 panic after O’Neill diagnosis with THREE stars set to become dads

STOKE are in panic mode over boss Michael O’Neill’s Covid-19 diagnosis — with three of their players about to become dads.

One of the unnamed Potters trio has even been told by his worried wife to STAY AWAY from home.

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Stoke are in panic mode over boss Michael O’Neill’s Covid-19 diagnosis earlier this weekCredit: Getty Images – Getty

O’Neill’s positive test forced Stoke to cancel their friendly against Manchester United on Tuesday — with the former Northern Ireland chief given the news on his way to the Red Devils’ Carrington training HQ.

O’Neill, 50, was not in contact with his squad on Tuesday but had been with them and his backroom team in the days before.

He is now self-isolating and caretaker Billy McKinlay will take charge of the build-up to their Championship restart, away to Reading a week on Saturday.

McKinlay and the rest of the Potters staff and squad will have another test today to see whether they have caught coronavirus.

The EFL confirmed there were six positive tests from four clubs in the Championship, with 1,192 players and staff tested.

News of O’Neill’s situation quickly reached the families of the players — and the three pregnant wives and partners were understandably anxious.

One player was told not to return home and is now in temporary accommodation until he has undergone further testing.

United will look to make up for the aborted friendly with Stoke by playing Championship promotion hopefuls West Brom TWICE tomorrow at Old Trafford.

In League One, there were two positive tests from 137 among the four play-off teams, with Portsmouth having two cases.

League Two play-off sides were all-clear.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk