Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell have both expressed their disappointment at missing England's final Euro 2020 group game against the Czech Republic after going into isolation.
After speaking to Chelsea teammate Billy Gilmour, who has since tested positive for Covid-19, in the Wembley tunnel after England's 0-0 draw with Scotland on Friday, Mount and Chilwell will have to train and stay away from the rest of the Three Lions squad until, and including, Monday, June 28.
That will mean they miss tonight's clash against the Czechs and the Chelsea duo could also be ruled out of England's round of 16 game should Gareth Southgate's side finish second in their group. That fixture is scheduled to be played on Monday evening.
Mount has started England's opening two Euro 2020 fixtures – a 1-0 win over Croatia and the draw with Scotland – and his absence will cause Southgate a selection headache ahead of tonight's game.
"I’m absolutely gutted to have to miss tonight’s game," the Chelsea player of the year wrote on Twitter. "I’ll be cheering on the boys as usual and ensuring that I’m ready to go again when called upon. Come on @England!"
Chilwell has yet to feature at Euro 2020. He was left out of the matchday squad entirely against Croatia and was an unused substitute against Scotland. He would have been hoping to make his tournament bow this evening but that opportunity has been taken away from him.
"It’s a tough one to take and I’m gutted but I want to wish the boys all the best tonight in the game," the left-back wrote on his social media channels.
"I’ll be cheering you all on. I will make sure i am ready for when I can rejoin the squad. Lets go @England!"
The decision that has seen Mount and Chilwell go into self-isolation has perplexed many, especially given no member of the Scotland squad, barring Gilmour, has had to do the same.
And Chelsea technical director Petr Cech has labelled the decision to rule Mount and Chilwell out of the tournament until next Tuesday as "incomprehensible".
He wrote: "Please could someone help me understand how it is possible Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell - both with negative tests - have to isolate after they got in contact with Billy Gilmour while the entire Scottish team who have shared the dressing room, hotel, coach and plane while traveling [sic], dining room, and meeting room is allowed to play the game without any problem because they returned the required negative tests?
"What is the difference between them returning the same test results? It is incomprehensible..."
