Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell could be in danger of missing England’s Euro 2020 last-16 match as they will have to self-isolate up to and including Monday 28 June.
The Chelsea pair began their self-isolation on Monday after coming into close contact with Scotland midfielder and club colleague, Billy Gilmour after Friday’s 0-0 draw at Wembley.
Gilmour tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday and will miss Scotland’s group decider against Croatia. Both Mount and Chilwell have tested negative.
The pair could, in theory, be available for England’s last-16 match if Gareth Southgate’s side beat the Czech Republic at Wembley tonight and finish as Group D winners. England are currently second in the table.
If England top their group, they will next play on Tuesday 29 June against the second-placed team in Group F, containing France, Germany, Hungary and Portugal.
However, if they fail to win against the Czech Republic, they will progress as runners-up and therefore, be in action on Monday 28 June which would make Mount and Chilwell unavailable for selection.
An England statement read: “We can confirm that Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount must isolate up to and including next Monday [28 June]. This decision has been taken in consultation with Public Health England.
“The pair were confirmed overnight as close contacts of Scotland’s Billy Gilmour after his positive test following last Friday’s match.
“Chilwell and Mount will isolate and train individually in private areas at England’s training base St. George’s Park, with the rest of the squad returning there after tonight’s fixture against Czech Republic at Wembley.
“We will continue to follow all Covid-19 protocols and the UEFA testing regime, while remaining in close contact with PHE.
“The entire England squad and staff had lateral flow tests on Monday and all were again negative, as was the case with Sunday’s UEFA pre-match PCR tests.
“Further tests will be carried out as and when appropriate.”
The news will come as a blow to Southgate as both players were expected to start in England’s final group game.
Mount has been one of England’s most impressive players at Euro 2020 so far, starting in both matches against Croatia and Scotland, while Chilwell was tipped to replace Luke Shaw at left back.
The PHE decision left some fans and pundits angry, with former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville branding the exclusion of the two players an “absolute joke” on Twitter.
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- How Ronaldo’s Coca-Cola stunt could change the face of football sponsorship
- In praise of Emma Hayes, the best pundit at Euro 2020 so far
- How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
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