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Tottenham awaiting PCR test results after Covid-19 outbreak before decision over Brighton postponement appeal

Tottenham awaiting PCR test results after Covid-19 outbreak before decision over Brighton postponement appeal

Tottenham are awaiting the results of follow-up PCR tests on a number of players and staff before deciding whether to ask the Premier League for a postponement of Sunday's match at Brighton.

Seven first-team players and four members of staff are thought to have returned positive lateral flow tests, leaving the fixture in doubt.

They are isolating at home, awaiting the results of yesterday's PCR tests, which give a more accurate reading and will make clear the full extent of the club's Covid-19 outbreak.

Spurs are in no rush to make a decision over an appeal, and could wait until after tomorrow's Europa Conference League game against Rennes, which is set to go ahead as scheduled.

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A postponement request would be considered by the Premier League board, who decide appeals on a case-by-case basis and would consider factors such as the number of players unavailable, their positions, and the impact on the club's preparations.

The Premier League has generally been accommodating with such requests and six matches were rescheduled due to Covid outbreaks last season, often at short notice. Arsenal, though, faced Brentford on the opening day of this season without four players.

A postponement would leave Spurs with a potential fixture pile-up down the line, with Antonio Conte's side already having a game in hand after last month's visit to Burnley was called off due to snow.

While Spurs have not named any of the impacted individuals, it is believed some of Conte's most influential players are among those to have tested positive and could be set for 10 days in isolation, in line with government guidelines. Spurs face Leicester tomorrow week and Liverpool a week on Sunday.

Brighton, though, are also depleted and could be without up to nine players, so Spurs may decide it is worth playing – provided their situation does not get any worse.

Conte, who is not among those to have tested positive, was due to provide an update at a 2pm GMT press conference ahead of Rennes' visit.

UEFA rules state clubs must fulfil their fixtures if they have 13 available players, including a goalkeeper, so tomorrow's match is not currently in jeopardy.

Spurs' Enfield training base remains open, although staff have been encouraged to only come in if necessary, while Conte took training yesterday and this morning as usual, albeit with a depleted squad and coaching staff.

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