West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek is currently self-isolating after coming into contact with a Czech Republic national team member of staff that has tested positive for Covid-19.
Soucek, who joined the Hammers in a permanent deal from Slavia Prague earlier this summer after a successful six-month loan spell, is isolating purely as a precaution as he has tested negative for the virus.
Soucek and the rest of the Czech Republic team and backroom staff will be retested but Soucek and teammate Patrik Schick are the two who are self isolating having come into contact with who local media are reporting as the team’s masseuse.
With Soucek isolating and potentially having to quarantine on his return to England there were doubts over his availability for West Ham’s opening Premier League game against Newcastle.
However, it is far too early to rule him out as the masseuse could have reported a false positive and there are further tests to come. Sources have told football.london that Soucek will continue to be assessed over the coming days.
The Czech duo won’t travel with the team to Slovakia for their Nations League match in Bratislava on Friday. Goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar will also miss out as his club, Slavia Prague, requested he return to them as a preventative measure.
It is not yet known if Soucek will also be forced to miss the Czech’s match against Scotland in Liberec next week.
Having initially joined the Hammers on loan in January, Soucek made a big impression on the team as they secured Premier League survival. The 25-year-old was crucial after lockdown, scoring three goals after the resumption of the top flight.
Speaking ahead of the new season, Soucek, who scored in the friendly victory over Brentford last weekend, said: “I've looked forward to the start of the season all the way through pre-season. I've been with the guys for a long time and I'm feeling really good with them on the pitch.
“I am looking forward to the first game of the new season and I'm looking forward to it for our fans, because I know they support us when we're here at home, and hopefully they will support us this season once again in this stadium."
