Alan Browne: Ireland player tests positive for coronavirus after playing against England

Browne played all 90 minutes of Thursday night’s friendly and will not feature in their to Nations League fixtures against Wales and Bulgaria

Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan Browne has tested positive for coronavirus, just hours after playing against England in Thursday night’s international friendly at Wembley.

The positive test result puts Gareth Southgate’s squad at an increased risk of a Covid-19 outbreak within the squad, with players set to be processed through the return-to-play protocols following news of Browne’s confirmation.

The 25-year-old was one of only five Irish players to play the full 90 minutes in the 3-0 defeat at Wembley Stadium, and the news comes just two days after teammate Callum Robinson was ruled out of the match after returning a positive test result.

Browne will miss Ireland’s two remaining Nations League fixtures, against Wales this Sunday and the visit of Bulgaria to Dublin next Wednesday, with the Preston North End midfielder forced to isolate from the rest of the squad.

A statement from the Football Association of Ireland read: “The Football Association of Ireland can confirm Ireland midfielder Alan Browne has tested positive for Covid-19.

Read more: Rashford and Coady ruled out of Nations League games

“There are no close contacts of the player and the rest of the staff and squad tested negative ahead of Sunday's Uefa Nations League against Wales in Cardiff.”

The Irish squad has suffered a number of positive coronavirus tests since international football resumed post-lockdown, although their England counterparts have escaped rather lightly so far with only a small handful of positive tests among players.

However, Wolves captain Connor Coady has been ruled out of their remaining fixtures during the current international window after “inadvertently coming into contact” with someone before joining the England squad who has since tested positive for Covid-19.

England are due to play Belgium on Sunday in a crucial Nations League encounter, before wrapping up the group stage next Wednesday.

Uefa’s regulations stipulate that teams must undergo a full round of testing among players and backroom staff at least 48 hours before a match, with England completing that requirement on Friday ahead of Sunday’s trip to Belgium.

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