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Perth Glory record no new COVID-19 cases in men’s A-League squad

Nick TaylorThe West Australian
Perth Glory can breathe sigh of relief with no new COVID-19 cases detected in their A-League men’s squad, after five players  tested positive on Tuesday.
Camera IconPerth Glory can breathe sigh of relief with no new COVID-19 cases detected in their A-League men’s squad, after five players tested positive on Tuesday. Credit: Matt King/Getty Images

Perth Glory have breathed a sigh of relief with no new COVID-19 cases detected in their A-League men’s squad.

But as chief executive Tony Pignata said: “Every day is a hold your breath day.”

Five players, including star signing Daniel Sturridge, tested positive on Tuesday.

If no further cases are detected, Glory could restart their season for a second time with a late midweek fixture next week as players only need seven days quarantine under NSW health rules.

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The five would be underdone but the rest of the squad is training. Under NSW rules, a close contact is someone who has spent four hours with a COVID-positive person.

The Game AFL 2024

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 19: Daniel Sturridge	of the Glory warms up during the round 11 A-League match between Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory at Moreton Daily Stadium, on January 19, 2022, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Camera IconDaniel Sturridge is one of five players to test positive. Credit: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Glory’s Australia Day game against Macarthur was postponed and they have been given no further scheduled fixtures.

They kick-started their season after a 43-day break with a 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar last Wednesday but the campaign came to another halt after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Sydney FC.

Under A-Leagues rules clubs can ask for a game to be called off if five players test COVID-positive.

Sturridge and four teammates are isolating at Glory’s Sydney hotel.

It is the former England and Liverpool striker’s third quarantine stint in as many months.

He isolated in Perth after arriving from England in November and joined the whole squad in quarantine when they were deemed close contacts of a player who tested positive in Brisbane a month later.

Sturridge tweeted: “3rd quarantine in 3 months. Been ducking and dodging it but it got a hold of me dawg so It’s R and R time.

“I’ll be back on the pitch again when I’m fully recovered.

“So annoyed right now but it is what it is. Have a blessed day my people”

On his Instagram page he said: “When I saw the first (test) I thought it was faulty.

“3rd quarantine in 3 months, but this time I’ve got it.

“I’ll overcome it and build my fitness back up when I’m COVID free.”

The star striker has made just three brief appearances off the bench.

He made a nine-minute cameo in the club’s season opener against Adelaide in November, but his second game didn’t come until January 19 when he was still underdone after spending 20 months without a professional match.

He came on after 62 minutes in the Sydney win and coach Richard Garcia had expected him to make a 60-minute appearance against Macarthur.

However there was some doubt as he finished Saturday’s 2 game with a slight hamstring tightness.

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