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Southampton: Saints man tests positive for COVID-19 on international duty

By Marc Walker

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Stuart Armstrong of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Bromwich Albion at St Mary's Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Stuart Armstrong of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Bromwich Albion at St Mary's Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images) /
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Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong has tested positive for COVID-19 whilst away on international duty with Scotland.

An official statement from Saints this afternoon confirmed that the 28-year-old had tested negative on Monday but has since returned a positive result.

Armstrong will now self-isolate for 10 days away from the rest of the Scotland squad and will not be available to play in their upcoming internationals against Israel, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

This does mean that, subject to a full recovery and no further positive tests, he will be able to play in Saints’ Premier League fixture versus Chelsea on the 18th October.

Further information from the Scottish FA confirms that Arsenal full-back Kieran Tierney, Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie and two members of backroom staff will isolate for 14 days due to being in close contact with Armstrong.

Stuart Armstrong of Southampton (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Stuart Armstrong of Southampton (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Saints’ statement confirmed that they were also taking “sensible precautions” at their Staplewood training ground and that they would be supporting Armstrong in his recovery.

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It will certainly be a blow to Saints if Armstrong has to miss any matches because of this.

He has been a key player for Ralph Hasenhuttl and provides real creativity drifting in off the right wing and into central areas.

Since joining from Celtic for a fee of around £7m back in 2018, Armstrong has played in 69 games for Saints and contributed nine goals and six assists to date.

He is yet to find the back of the net this season but provided a clever assist for Oriol Romeu’s stunning volley in Saints’ 2-0 win over West Brom on Sunday.

Competition in his position was added when Saints secured the season-long loan signing of Theo Walcott on Monday and rounded off a successful transfer window of recruitment.

The two players are different in their styles so it may come down to Ralph Hasenhuttl choosing which player he thinks will be best in certain games.

Next. Walcott admits he'll "probably cry" playing for Saints again. dark

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