Portsmouth chief’s warning over return to action as Sunderland’s coronavirus struggles continue

But the Blues chief executive told how the Blues will this week gear up their preparations for competitive action at Accrington this Saturday.

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A number of Pompey’s squad remain in self-isolation, after five senior first-team players tested positive amid the latest coronavirus outbreak at Fratton Park.

That’s seen the season grind to a halt for Kenny Jackett’s side with games against Swindon and Bristol Rovers postponed over the Christmas period.

Pompey are far from the only team to be impacted by Covid-19, however, with Bristol Rovers, Ipswich, Peterborough, Rochdale and Doncaster all seeing cases in their ranks.

But it’s Sunderland who have been hit hardest, with the Black Cats yesterday calling off their fourth game on the spin as the result of the outbreak at the club’s training facilities.

Their match with Accrington due to be played on Tuesday has bitten the dust, meaning John Coleman’s side will not play before Pompey’s visit.

But that development is a salutary warning to the Blues with the club prepared for all eventualities.

Catlin said: ‘When looking ahead at games we go into the longer term where it’s difficult to comment because things change so quickly.

‘Our current intention is to play Accrington, but a lot can change.

‘People are self-isolating for a reason in this 10-day period.

‘If they start to show symptoms we may have to test again.

‘A test gives a snapshot in that moment in time.

‘That person can test again in four or five days and test positive after being negative.

‘It is our intention to play Accrington, but we’ve seen this is a situation which changes daily.’

Pompey’s training ground was closed in the aftermath of the outbreak at the club with a deep clean of the facilities taking place.

But their Roko base in Hilsea has been made available to the players for individual use before group training is permitted.

Catlin added ‘You plan for what’s in front of you and what you know. That’s what we’re doing.

‘As of this moment in time Accrington is on, so we are preparing for that game.’

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