Leicester City quarantine three players after showing symptoms of coronavirus

Leicester City have announced that at least three first-team players have self-isolated after showing symptoms of coronavirus.

The Foxes manager, Brendan Rodgers confirmed the report, saying that the three players "have been kept away from the rest of the squad."

Although Rodgers did not specify which players had been quarantined, he added that the club had "followed procedures".

The Foxes are due to play Watford at Vicarage Road in the Premier League on Saturday at 12:45 GMT.

"We had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs," Rodgers said.

"It would be a shame [if the Watford game were postponed], but the public's health is the most important in all of this."

Asked if the game could be played behind closed doors, Rodgers said: "The game is all about the players and the fans and if you have one of those not there, it's obviously not the same."

It is understood the players' symptoms have not yet reached the threshold for coronavirus testing but they will continue to be assessed, the BBC reported.

The UK government is expected to announce on Thursday that it is stepping up its response to the pandemic.

There are 484 confirmed cases in the UK and eight people have died.

Top-flight leagues in Spain and Italy have been postponed, while Wednesday's game between Manchester City and Arsenal was postponed as a "precautionary measure".

Five Gunners players were in self-isolation after meeting Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis.

BBC