Tottenham have confirmed that two unnamed two players who tested positive for Covid-19 on their return from international duty returned false positive results.
A statement on the club's official website said: "Following a number of reports regarding the health of our players, the club would like provide clarity to events of the past 48 hours.
"After further analysis following Premier League protocol, two players - whose names will not be disclosed due to medical confidentiality - returned false positive tests for COVID-19 on Friday after returning from international duty."
Both players were at risk of missing three matches, including the clash with Newcastle on Sunday, but it now appears they will be available for selection.
"It was only during his press conference on Friday that Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo admitted he had "big issues" with his selection for the trip to St. James' Park.
"[It's] not easy, not easy. What we wanted was after the game against Villa … which I think was one of the best performances that we had in terms of the team, how we did things, how we reacted when we conceded, all these small steps that we took in the right direction … the ideal was to immediately have a good week, try to establish and create routines among players," he said.
"That was not possible. So you stay here with a group of players that you try, with the small numbers, just try and improve them individually. Not in the aspect of the team because the squad was not here. So what we want now is try to recover them.
"Like I said, we have problems and you're going to see that we have problems. We have small issues, big issues if you want, but the best way is to get a reference point and the reference point was the game against Villa.
"So that should be our starting point for a tight schedule that we’re going to be four games away from home. So starting from there … If we could, I’ll be honest with you, we would repeat the same XI, because that’s the best way to start something. It will not be possible but then you have to try again, try again, try again."
Spurs had revealed the two players had been self-isolating after returning from internationals, meaning they will have missed any training sessions in preparation for the Premier League clash.
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Whether Nuno decides to bring them back into the fold for the Newcastle fixture is unclear.
Fortunately he will be able to call on them, as well as for the fixtures with Vitesse on Thursday and away at West Ham next weekend.
A win at Newcastle would see Nuno's side jump five places into fifth, though their opponents have been buoyed by the news of their recent takeover and the game will mark Toon boss Steve Bruce's 1000th in management in what is expected to be an exuberant atmosphere on Tyneside.
