Burnley manager Sean Dyche believes it would be 'a bit early' to call off the Premier League fixture between his side and Everton on Boxing Day.
On Thursday, Toffees manager Rafael Benitez confirmed the Toffees have submitted a request to the Premier League for the match to be postponed, as they have five players with Covid-19 and six missing due to injury.
Benitez said that Everton have only nine senior outfield players available as a result, as well as three goalkeepers.
Despite the decision being made on Monday that the Premier League schedule would continue despite a recent spate of Covid-19 outbreaks and various match postponements in the top flight, already the festive calendar has been disrupted.
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Liverpool's home clash with Leeds United and Watford's trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers have already been removed from the Boxing Day slate of games.
While Benitez has confirmed Everton also want their match at Turf Moor to be rescheduled, Dyche said it would be premature to make a decision in spite of the Toffees' drastic situation, per Sky Sports.
"Yeah, I knew there were some rumours coming out of there [Everton] but it's a bit early I think," he said at his press conference on Thursday.
"I don't know the scientific rules of that as regards to the body and the welfare, but it's a little bit early I would suggest. You don't know if you test in two days or the morning of the game whether it's gone out of the system.
Pick the Everton team to face Burnley:
"I don't know the vaccination situation of the Everton players. We'll find out more probably this afternoon on the manager's call.
"If Everton have got a problem with it they'll put it in to the Premier League, the Premier League will look at it and they'll have to decide it. It won't be my decision. I'll just follow the protocols accordingly."
Burnley's campaign has already been majorly disrupted by cancellations, as they've only played 15 top-flight matches this season. A number of teams are already up to 18 for the campaign.
Dyche's side only have one win to show for their efforts so far in 2021-22 and will no doubt view a home fixture against a depleted Everton as an opportunity to enhance their chances in the fight to avoid relegation.
