Blackpool's game against Sunderland being played behind closed doors would be a 'massive blow' says Jay Spearing

It comes following reports this morning that English football could be forced to ban supporters from attending games due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The Government is set to move to the “delay” stage of its action plan to deal with the spread of the virus and reports claim Premier League and Football League games in England could all go behind closed doors.

A meeting was reportedly held this morning to discuss the possibility.

Neil Critchley says his side will continue to prepare as normal for Saturday's game but accepts it is an inevitably fixtures will be played behind closed doors, or suspended completely, at some stage.

“It would be a massive blow," Spearing said.

“We’ve heard they’re bringing 4,500 and we’ll have good backing as well, so it will be an astounding atmosphere.

“It’s what you want to play in front of, you want to play in front of big crowds and in big games.

“Whatever will be will be, we have to concentrate on peoples’ health with the fans and even ourselves.

“We’re doing all the right things we’ve been told to do going forward and we’re just waiting to hear whether it will be behind closed doors or not.

“Whether it does or not, we want the three points and we’ll do whatever we can to do that.”