Wolves captain Conor Coady admits coronavirus concerns ahead of Europa League trip to Olympiacos
Game at Karaiskakis Stadium was already set to be played behind closed doors
Wolves captain Conor Coady has revealed he is worried about his family’s health ahead of his side’s Europa League trip to Olympiacos.
Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis announced on Tuesday he had tested positive for coronavirus, prompting Wolves to asked Uefa to call Thursday’s game off.
That appeal was rejected, while Olympiacos’ squad have all tested negative for the virus.
“You go home to your wives and kids after the game, so that’s the priority,” Coady said.
“We need to make sure it’s right when we’re going home, but yeah, we read everything, we see everything.
“We’ve seen the game postponed tonight between Manchester City and Arsenal, but as players there’s not a lot we can do. All we can do is train, prepare and listen to our manager and play tomorrow night.
“We’re ready to play. We’ve looked at it and a lot of people have spoken, we’ve read a lot of things and seen a lot of things, but listen, we’re professional footballers.
“We’ve got to prepare to get ready to play a game which is a really important game for this football club.
“People have had a lot to say, we’ve read a lot of things in the press and whether it’s right or wrong – we’re professionals and we’re ready to go and compete as much as we can.”
The game at the Karaiskakis Stadium was already set to be played behind closed doors after a Uefa ruling.
Wolves coach Nuno Espirito Santo has underlined his opposition to the game going ahead, but insisted his squad must remain professional as they aim for a first-leg lead.
He said: “It’s not what we wanted, we want to compete in a normal environment with a tough crowd that Olympiacos has, this is the way we love to compete, but the circumstances are that and it’s up to us to focus and compete well in the game.
“It’s totally different, totally different. Having no people in the stands, it’s closed, and I think I’ve already made my point.
“It doesn’t make sense to play behind closed doors, but it’s reality and we have to prepare ourselves.”
Only Jonny and Morgan Gibbs-White have not travelled for Wolves as they nurse ankle injuries.
PA
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