Annan Athletic’s pre-season preparations have been thrown into turmoil after four first team players tested positive for coronavirus.
The League Two club were forced to cancel Tuesday evening’s friendly against Queen of the South and were still awaiting the go-ahead for training on Wednesday - minus the four players who are now self-isolating.
Lower league clubs don’t have to adhere to the stringent twice weekly testing protocols that are in place in the top flight.
But after one Annan player fell unwell last week and subsequently tested positive, a track and trace of those he’d been in contact with confirmed three other positive tests within the squad.
It’s a huge blow to Galabank manager Peter Murphy. Annan’s next pre-season friendly is against Dalbeattie Star on September 26 - just 10 days before their season opener against Hamilton Accies in the Betfred Cup.
An Annan spokesman said: “It’s a nightmare but we’ve followed the guidelines and hopefully we’ll be able to resume as soon as possible.”
Hamilton have issues of their own, with three players forced into isolation for three days after testing positive for COVID-19.
They'll be unavailable to face Kilmarnock on Saturday, with players and staff to face tests tomorrow.
