Why Neil Warnock will be keeping a close eye on his Middlesbrough squad ahead of Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest fixtures

Warnock was forced to play a weakened side at Brentford in the FA Cup on Saturday after members of his first-team squad were told to begin a ten-day self-isolation period.

Players who are no longer displaying symptoms and return a negative test could be available for Boro’s home game against Birmingham this weekend, which comes four days before a trip to Nottingham Forest.

It’s now mandatory for EFL clubs to test players twice a week following a number of outbreaks at Premier League and EFL clubs.

Boro’s Rockliffe training ground was reopened on Wednesday with strict measures in place.

There were no new positive tests among the first-team squad on Wednesday, yet Warnock, who tested positive for the virus in September, is aware of the long-term impacts of Covid-19.

Boro’s North East neighbors Newcastle had to close their training ground and postpone a Premier League match against Aston Villa after an outbreak of the virus last month.

Some of the Magpies players are only just returning to action, with some players suffering more than others after positive tests.

“I don’t think anybody knows what the effect of this will be,” admitted Warnock last week.

“We’ve had lads who’ve felt good and tested positive, and lads who’ve felt exhausted because of it.

The Boro boss added: “That’s where, as managers, we’ve got to be on the top of our game to manage things in training and spot if any players are below their usual standards or looking a little under the weather or whatever.

“I’ve said to Kevin (Blackwell) and Ronnie (Jepson) that we’ll have to watch their every step next week when we come back, because there might be some lads who aren’t up to their standards that they usually set, and we’ll have to spot that.”

Boro are now preparing for a congested run of five games in 15 days after their postponed Boxing Day match against Rotherham was rearranged for January, Wednesday 27 (7pm kick-off).

It’s also been confirmed that Boro’s home game against Blackburn has been pushed back 24 hours to Sunday, January 24 and will be televised on Sky Sports.

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