Long to miss Southampton clash with West Ham after COVID test

Hasenhuettl, like his fellow top-flight managers, says the international breaks are complicated with players travelling back from far-flung destinations.

Published : Sep 09, 2021 17:02 IST , LONDON

Long (right) tested positive last week ahead of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Portugal and was forced to self-isolate.
Long (right) tested positive last week ahead of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Portugal and was forced to self-isolate.
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Long (right) tested positive last week ahead of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Portugal and was forced to self-isolate.

Southampton will be without striker Shane Long for its home Premier League game with West Ham United after he tested positive for COVID-19, manager Ralph Hasenhuettl confirmed on Thursday.

Hasenhuettl, like his fellow top-flight managers, says the international breaks are complicated with players travelling back from far-flung destinations.

Throw in the risks posed by COVID-19 and preparations for the return to league action are especially challenging.

"We have a few players who have been travelling a lot. We will have everybody back today except (Shane) Long," the Austrian said.

READ: Brazil and Argentina return to World Cup qualifying after chaos

"He is in self-isolation in the hotel because of a positive COVID test but the rest will arrive today and I will have a look."

Long tested positive last week ahead of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Portugal and was forced to self-isolate.

Several Premier League clubs could face sanctions if they play their south American players this weekend having not released them to play internationals in "red list" countries.

Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City are among clubs that did not release Brazilian players and Hasenhuettl has sympathy for the clubs.

READ: FIFA president Infantino cites 'too many meaningless' games in international football

"It's a problem to send players all over the world. We have a big problem preparing for the weekend because they are coming back on Thursday so we only have one day and a half," he said.

"When you have to quarantine you must definitely block players from going somewhere because otherwise, you lose them for a long time like the Brazilian and Argentinian players.

"You can imagine for a club what it means. Players want to play internationals for sure and also want to play for a club."

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