Blackpool's weekend game against Burton Albion CALLED OFF

Blackpool’s league game against Burton Albion this weekend has been called off.

It comes after the Brewers informed the EFL they are unable to fulfil the fixture having recorded recent positive Covid-19 tests.

A new date for the game will be announced in due course.

The EFL said in a statement: “Burton Albion’s League One fixture against Blackpool on Saturday has been suspended.

“The club informed the EFL that they would be unable to fulfil the fixture following recent positive COVID-19 tests and the requirement for players and staff to self-isolate as per EFL and Government guidance in order to mitigate against the risk of further infection.

“The circumstances surrounding the postponement will now be the subject of an investigation in accordance with EFL Regulations.

“A revised date for the rearranged fixture will be confirmed in due course.”

This is Burton’s second consecutive game they’ve called off due to Covid, having postponed their midweek fixture against Shrewsbury Town last weekend.

At the time, Burton revealed eight players had tested positive and a further round of mandatory testing would take place on Wednesday.

Speaking earlier this week, Burton boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says his side would have precious preparation time were Saturday’s game to go ahead.

“The club is closed down now and we are not allowed in until Wednesday when we all will be tested again," he said.

"Once we get the results back they will say what will happen. The club will be disinfected and all that kind of stuff to make sure the bug is out of the club.

“The players who are infected can’t do anything; the ones who aren’t can only do a bit of fitness work.

"We can do nothing as a group and if we come back after Wednesday, we only have two days and if the game goes ahead, they will be open for injuries as they have not trained and still have to then put that amount of stress on their bodies.

“But we will see what they say on Wednesday and take it from there.

“We have eight people affected and eight in our squad is a lot of people. The danger is of it escalating, which is why everyone needs to be away from each other to stop it going any further.”

Blackpool were also without six players due to Covid for Tuesday night’s 5-0 win against Wigan Athletic.

With Demetri Mitchell already self-isolating, the club announced before last weekend’s FA Cup tie against Brighton that they had returned five further positive tests following its latest round of mandatory testing.

The five involved then had to begin a period of self-isolation for 10 days.

While the players affected haven’t been named, the likes of Jack Sims, Dan Ballard, Ollie Turton, Cameron Antwi, Kenny Dougall and Grant Ward haven’t been involved for Pool’s last two outings.

Mitchell, meanwhile, was expected to return this weekend having completed his period of self-isolation.

Head coach Neil Critchley also revealed he was hopeful of having Ward back to face Burton, which suggests the midfielder was missing with a knock, rather than Covid.

Daniel Gretarsson, Keshi Anderson and CJ Hamilton are all out injured to leave Blackpool’s squad further depleted.

This is the third Blackpool game to have been postponed this season for Covid-related reasons, with their fixtures against Sunderland and Rochdale also falling foul.

The Seasiders’ match against Northampton Town earlier this month was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

The game has been rearranged for next Tuesday, which is now Blackpool’s next fixture.

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