Man City's Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte test positive for Covid-19
Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte have tested positive for Covid-19 just five days before the start of the new English Premier League season, the club announced yesterday.
City said in a statement that French defender Laporte and Algerian international forward Mahrez were self-isolating in accordance with rules.
"Neither is displaying symptoms of the virus," the statement said.
"Everyone at the club wishes Riyad and Aymeric a speedy recovery ahead of their return to training and the new season."
The EPL season starts on Saturday, but Manchester City do not open their campaign until Sept 21, when they play Wolves.
City and neighbours Manchester United are missing the opening weekend to give them extra time to recover from a late end to the 2019/20 season, because both were involved in European competitions.
Mahrez tweeted: "Thank you for all the nice messages, I'm good. Stay safe everyone take care of you."
Laporte thanked fans for their messages of support, saying he would be back soon.
Earlier, United midfielder Paul Pogba and Tottenham Hotspur's Tanguy Ndombele also tested positive for the virus. United's first game is against Crystal Palace on Sept 19. - AFP
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