Lynden Gooch missed Sunderland’s win against AFC Wimbledon after testing positive for Covid-19, Lee Johnson has confirmed.
Gooch was a surprise absentee from the teamsheet at Plough Lane, but Johnson explained the circumstances after the match.
The Black Cats players were tested on Friday and Gooch was the only one to return a positive test.
“Lynden was a positive test for COVID-19,” said Johnson.
“It's obviously frustrating for us and him as he was completely asymptomatic.
“We're frustrated because he had done so well in the Port Vale game [in the EFL Trophy] and he hasn't had the chance to really build up a head of steam since I came in.”
Sunderland had a Covid outbreak at their Academy of Light training base before Christmas, with 14 players eventually testing positive, which led to a spate of postponements over the holiday period.
Since then the EFL has asked clubs to ensure they stick to stringent protocols and have introduced a regime which will see players tested twice each week.
