Why Sheffield United's John Egan could be forced to stay in Ireland for 14 days after Covid-19 contact

Egan was stood down from Ireland's game against Wales on Sunday, after the unnamed player returned a positive coronavirus test on Friday after the squad’s return from Bratislava following their Euro 2020 play-off semi-final defeat to Slovakia on Thursday night.

Egan, former Blade and West Brom forward Callum Robinson, Bristol City's Callum O’Dowda and Alan Browne of Preston North End all missed the 0-0 Nations League draw against Wales. The Star understands that all four sat close to the player who tested positive on the flight home from Slovakia, and were privately identified as 'close contacts' after the Football Association of Ireland spoke with the country's Health Service Executive (HSE).

That raised fears that the defender may miss United's Premier League clash with Fulham this weekend. Egan and the rest of Stephen Kenny's squad were tested again for Covid-19 on Sunday evening and although no official confirmation has yet been made, HSE coronavirus guidance states that anyone who is identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive for Covid-19 will have to restrict their movements for 14 days, even if their test comes back negative.

If that applies to Egan, and unless he receives some special dispensation to return to England or is officially re-classed as a ‘casual’ contact, he will seemingly not be allowed to leave Ireland until October 23 - the day before United's trip to Anfield to face the reigning Premier League champions, Liverpool, and almost a week after United's game against Fulham.

HSE guidance states: "If you are a close contact you need to; get tested for COVID-19, [and] restrict your movements for 14 days - even if your test comes back negative.

"It can take up to 14 days for the virus to show up in your system after you have been exposed to it. You will need to continue to restrict your movements, even if your first test was negative."

The Ireland squad have been rocked by Covid-19 blows throughout the current international break. Two other players, Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah, were withdrawn from the squad to face Slovakia after a backroom staff member tested positive for the virus and they were identified as close contacts. But the test was later found to be a false positive.

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