- Large number of Steve Bruce’s squad affected
- Premier League board agrees to Newcastle request
Newcastle United’s trip to Aston Villa on Friday has been postponed after the north-east club reported a “significant” rise in positive Covid-19 test results – a number believed to run into double figures – and the Premier League board agreed to defer the game.
It is the first top-tier fixture this season to have fallen casualty to a coronavirus outbreak. The Premier League had little option but to act after Public Health England advised that Newcastle’s training facilities should remain closed until Friday at the earliest.