'My head was gone' - how effects of coronavirus are still hindering Portsmouth ace

And the Republic of Ireland international has lifted the lid on the hard-hitting impact the disease had on his health last month.

Curtis tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the FA Cup trip to Bristol City and missed the 2-1 loss at Ashton Gate, along with the EFL Trophy exit at Peterborough and league win at Fleetwood.

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The 24-year-old initially didn’t have any symptoms after testing positive, but was soon hit hard.

Curtis faced well-known problems associated with coronavirus such as breathlessness and a sore chest, but also lesser-known side effects.

The former Derry City man was taken out of the team last week at Charlton, before returning with an impressive outing off the bench against Plymouth and start on Tuesday in the win over Swindon.

But, even after his return, Curtis admitted the impact of the coronavirus is being felt.

He said: ‘It was really bad. I’m still getting over it now really.

‘It’s 100-per-cent hard to get over. It’s easy to catch it, but it’s hard to get over.

‘It really knocked me six, after a few days my sleep pattern was out of the window and I was having crazy dreams - my head was gone.

‘It was difficult because I was getting out of breath easily, too, and my chest was sore.

‘I feel fit, but it takes a while to get over it and it’s not easy when you get something like that, especially as big as Covid.

‘I’ve had it but it’s just about trying to stay safe, train and continuing to play games.

‘It’s just about staying as safe as you can and obeying all the rules.’

There was initial confusion over whether Curtis had coronavirus or not after his mother, Marie, took to social media to say her son was injured ahead of the Bristol City game.

That contradicted the club line that he did not travel because he was feeling unwell.

Curtis explained the mix-up arose as a result of him telling her it was a groin injury and not Covid-19, to avoid panicking his parents.

He added: ‘My mum and dad were older and I didn’t want to tell them I’d caught it.

‘So I ended up telling her that I’d got injured instead and she ended up putting it out on social media.

‘Knowing my mum she would have been straight over on the next flight if she’d known.

‘I wouldn’t have been able to stop her so I told her a little white lie and said I was injured.

‘It ended up getting out, though, so I just had to tell here she couldn’t come because she’s a bit older.

‘I would never have lived with myself if she’d caught it.’

Curtis has built his fitness up since being deemed fit enough to come back into contention.

But with seven games this month after the Crewe postponement, he’s aware Kenny Jackett may choose to manage his participation in games moving forward.

He said: ‘The gaffer is the main man and picks the team he thinks is strongest on the day.

‘There’s a lot of games, something like eight this month, so there will be a lot of changes.

‘So it’s just about staying as fit as I can and staying away from Covid.’

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