Jamie Hamilton will miss Hamilton Accies clash with St Johnstone after testing positive for Covid-19.
The defender has been part of the Scotland under-19 squad who saw their international friendly against England cancelled last week and will now miss the New Douglas Park clash.
Andy Winter also looks set to miss out on a return to Scottish Premiership action after being with Billy Stark's young side.
It is the latest coronavirus blow for the side following scares earlier this season, as well as Lee Hodson and Ryan Fulton self-isolating recently.
After confirming Hamilton "is out with Covid" along with "another young lad" Rice opened up on how the club have dealt with the virus.
The gaffer admitted it could impact on youth development with no reserve league this term.
He said at the Accies press conference: "There is no youth league, no reserve league, so it's trying to arrange friendlies because it's very difficult with the Covid situation.
"You are waiting on the testing getting done and the results.
"We got tested today and I won't know until tonight if the team that is in my head and the team that is worked on is available.
"We have some youth players out on loan and theoretically they can't train with us.
"They are going outside to clubs who aren't testing so there is very little game time for them."
With the SPFL issuing a fresh warning for fans to stay away Rice urged the Accies faithful to stick to the rules.
"The guidelines are there for everybody," he went on.
"We are very strict here with our players just arriving, training, going home and no showering, no socialising and no eating together.
"The government have set out guidelines and if we want to get safe and this to get better we need to stick to the guidelines.
"If that means staying at home that means staying at home unfortunately for everyone.
"We would all love fans to be here and we'd all love to have packed houses, Old Firm games, other derby games, we'd love that. Unfortunately as this time we can't do it so we've got to stay safe."
Having won their first game in Hamilton this term against Ayr in the Betfred Cup, Rice now hopes to build on against the Perth Saints.
"It was the first home win of the season but now we are just looking forward to league action.
"We look forward to two home games before a tough run of away games."
Watch the press conference above ahead of Hamilton Accies v St Johnstone
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