Rafael Benitez has confirmed that five Everton players are currently in self-isolation and will miss tomorrow's Premier League match with Southampton.
James Rodriguez was confirmed as one of the players affected, though the Everton manager chose not to name the other four individuals.
After revealing that he had held transfer talks with the Colombian midfielder, Benitez was asked to provide a further update as to why the 30-year-old would not be involved at Goodison Park this weekend.
READ MORE: Rafa Benitez speaks out over James Rodriguez future as Everton star ruled out for Southampton
When questioned on this, he said: "We have some players who are in isolation now, with Covid around we have to be careful and stay at home. He is one of them."
Benitez was later quizzed on the specific whereabouts of Moise Kean, Andre Gomes and Jean-Philippe Gbamin, adding: "There are five players in isolation. I will not name too many of them, because it's better not to do it."
Norwich City are another Premier League side to have faced COVID-19 complications heading into the new campaign, having already experienced an outbreak which led to over ten players being forced into isolation and two pre-season friendlies being cancelled.
