Premier League announced 42 positive tests for Covid on Monday night – the most ever recorded in a single week – with at least five clubs having confirmed cases, including Manchester United whose fixture at Brentford on Tuesday night has been postponed as a result.
It was also the highest weekly figure recorded since the release of testing results began in May last year.
The clubs’ worries have been exacerbated by the slow pace of their vaccination programmes, which has left the majority of players facing a wait to receive the booster jab required to provide protection against Omicron, after studies showed that two jabs offer little immunity.
Back in October, the Premier League revealed 69 per cent of players had been fully vaccinated, with 81 per cent receiving their first dose.