Covid-19 set Darren Moore's 'whole bone structure' in pain, but now he's ready to get back to work with Sheffield Wednesday

The Sheffield Wednesday manager, whose 10-day isolation period ends today, has had to watch on from home as the season-high of a 5-0 win over Cardiff was flanked by defeats to Watford and QPR that have left their Championship survival hopes looking more unlikely than ever.

But the clutches of the coronavirus have had a much more serious effect on the 46-year-old, who speaking to The Star revealed the scale of the symptoms he suffered having tested positive for the virus the day before the Owls’ trip to Watford.

Moore, who is set to return to Owls training today, has managed asthma throughout his football career and the respiratory condition put him at risk of major issues. With the assistance of club doctor Richard Higgins he has been able to make a full recovery.

“In midweek I really came down and wasn’t feeling too great,” Moore said on Friday when asked to describe his battle against the virus.

“The best way I can describe it is that my body was just in pain for four or five days, by bone structure, the bones in my shoulders, chest, legs. I was in a lot of pain.

“My breathing restrictions from my chest was pretty limited, but the doc we’ve got here was excellent, I got some steroids which were a great help to me and I started to feel a lot better on day three of that course of steroids in terms of my feeling.

“It was the pain, a weird one, my whole bone structure in my body was really painful, it drains you and it was a feeling of lethargy all over me.

“The last couple of days I’ve been eating properly and have been feeling a lot better in myself. I feel like I can get back in it and get back in. Everybody is different but that’s what I’ve found in the last few days.”

Moore previously had to isolate alongside the bulk of his coaching team when manager of Doncaster Rovers in November. Though he has been able to remain in close contact with staff and players throughout his spell away through video conferencing, he admitted it’s been a hindrance for the side.

He thanked supporters for their messages of support and on his asthma, he said: "It’s been something I’ve had to manage all my career.

"There was one time I had to pull out of a game because the grass at the stadium on a hot afternoon meant I got to half-time and couldn’t continue because I was short of breath.

“In the main, it’s something I’ve handled quite well with inhalers and keeping on top of it, making sure my airwaves are always kept clear.

“It’s something I’ve always had to keep on top of all my life. When this illness took me, it was a worry, we know how serious it is. The doctor was excellent in terms of maintaining the medication with me. He’d not left me since it came on, every day he’s been on it.

“I feel great and I’m ready to get back into it.”

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