Manchester City have confirmed that Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte have tested positive for coronavirus.
Both players will now undergo a period of self-isolation and the club confirmed that neither player is showing any symptoms of the virus.
Though the Premier League returns this Saturday, Pep Guardiola’s side do not play their first game until September 21 when they travel to Molineux to face Wolves, due to their involvement in the latter stages of the Champions League in August.
However, City sources have told The Telegraph that they expect the pair to be back in advance of the match against Wolves.
The positive tests will be of concern to the Premier League generally though, with the new season starting in five days.
City said in a statement: ‘Manchester City FC can confirm that Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte have tested positive for Covid-19.
‘Both players are currently observing a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine. Neither is displaying symptoms of the virus.
‘Everyone at the Club wishes Riyad and Aymeric a speedy recovery ahead of their return to training and the new season.’
Mahrez, 29, and Laporte, 26, are not the first professional footballers to test positive for the virus in recent weeks. (Daily Mail)
