Former Hibs defender Ryan McGivern has taken the decision to self isolate himself following the outbreak of coronavirus after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus.
According to reports, the 30-year-old has been given permission to be excluded from training for the next two weeks.
McGivern is believed to have been in contact with a player from Armagh-based Hanover FC who tested positive over the weekend.
A spokesman for Hanover FC said: "Hanover FC can confirm that a player from the club has been tested as positive for Coronavirus this evening following playing in a fixture vs Coagh Utd Reserves.
"Hanover FC had no knowledge of the testing prior to confirmation of the positive test at 6.30pm this evening. We immediately then took all precautionary measures by contacting Hanover players, the opposing club along with the Mid-Ulster Football League and liaising with the NHS via their helpline for advice which has now been passed on to all in question."
Other clubs in Northern Ireland are now on alert after the twelfth confirmed case in the country. McGivern who has twenty four senior caps for Northern Ireland to his name came through the youth ranks at Manchester City.
Following on from his spell at the Etihad he spent two seasons in the capital at Hibs, first joining on loan before officially signing for the Hibees in 2013. He left at the end of that season as Hibs were relegated to the Scottish Championship.
Following on from his spell in Scotland, McGivern has turned out for Port Vale, Shrewsbury Town, Northampton Town, Swindon Town and now his current club Linfield.
