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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Sam Meade

Premier League club 'faces being without five players' on football return over health fears

One Premier League side could be without five first team stars should the season restart due to concerns over their health.

Over half of the top flight's 20 clubs have said they will not force players to play if they fear for themselves or their families.

And one team has had five players come out and say they do not want to be included, reports The Sun.

Several clubs are aware that they will not have a full squad to pick from due to the safety concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

Dean Smith admitted last week that two of his Aston Villa players have pulled out for health reasons.

(EMPICS Sport)

It is the same story at Brighton with chief executive Paul Barber conceding two of their players have suggested they may not be involved.

Plans to push forward Project Restart will continue on Sunday with June 12 still the target date to restart the campaign.

Once the Premier League decide on their medical protocols the players will then be made aware of the risks involved.

At that point the 20 clubs should discover which players are prepared to play and which ones are not amid fears over their safety and that of their loved ones.

Dean Smith could be without some of his first team players (PA)

The Premier League's last match was Leicester's win over Aston Villa on March 9.

The majority of teams have eight games remaining before the season ends, although some have nine.

Plenty still rides of the campaign's final games with six teams battling to avoid the drop.

European football spots are still very much up for grabs with Chelsea in fourth and Arsenal in ninth separated by just eight points.

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