Côte d’Ivoire winger Wilfried Zaha tested positive for COVID-19, his club Crystal Palace confirmed on Monday.
Zaha was in line to play for Palace away to Burnley at Turf Moor in the Premier League later on Monday but missed the game as he is in self-isolation.
“He has tested positive unfortunately for coronavirus so is self-isolating, and is awaiting the results of the next test. He is not feeling particularly ill, but unfortunately the test proved positive, and he is following the procedures,” club manager Roy Hodgson told Palace’s media team.
Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi was called into the starting team to replace Zaha, Hodgson added.
Hodgson has previously expressed concerns about players being susceptible to contracting COVID-19 while representing their countries during international breaks. Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew, who also plays for Palace, tested positive for COVID-19 last month. Ayew, who successfully completed his self-isolation period, was named in the starting XI to face Burnley.
Zaha is the latest African player to test positive for coronavirus following the international break. Egyptians Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Elneny also tested positive for COVID-19 and missed Liverpool’s 3-0 win against Leicester City and Arsenal’s 0-0 draw against Leeds United respectively.
