Fleetwood Town keeper outlines his Covid-19 experience

Alex Cairns is feeling very lucky as he readies himself for a Fleetwood Town return.
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Cairns was recently struck down with coronavirus and had a period of self-isolation.

Though not taken ill in the initial wave of positive cases that saw Town’s post-festive season fixtures postponed, he instead fell foul of the illness in the lead-up to the Papa John’s Trophy tie with Hull City.

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The 28-year-old is due to return between the posts for Town, as it seems he could be the first choice goalkeeper again under Simon Wiles.

Alex Cairns is closing in on a return to first-team football   Picture: Stephen Buckley/PRiME Media Images LimitedAlex Cairns is closing in on a return to first-team football   Picture: Stephen Buckley/PRiME Media Images Limited
Alex Cairns is closing in on a return to first-team football Picture: Stephen Buckley/PRiME Media Images Limited

It will be his shirt to lose for the moment as Joel Coleman isn’t back to full fitness, though he is likely to be named on the bench.

Cairns said: “I got diagnosed with Covid, which was hard for me and my family because we’ve all been self-isolating.

“I’ve been stuck in the house and watching the lads play every week has been hard. I’ve not been able to go to the training ground and bounce off them.

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“It’s been a testing two weeks. Initially I got a bit of a cold but everything other than that was fine, I could smell and I could taste.

“I thought nothing of it and just thought it was the time of the year.

“A couple of days later, I had a funny taste every time I ate or drank something. I spoke to the physio and they said to stay away and to get tested.

“I got the news I was positive and the few days after that, and the day before the Hull game, I could feel myself not feeling right.

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“I was groggy and aching and that’s when I found out I tested positive.”

Cairns has not started a League One game for Fleetwood since defeat to Rochdale in October and found himself out of favour under former head coach Joey Barton.

Should he start against Wigan Athletic tomorrow, it will have been 112 days since his last appearance for the club.

He continued: “I didn’t expect it (Covid), I’m not sure anyone does, but it shows how horrible things are at this moment in time.

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“Overall I was actually OK. I know a lot of people are suffering from it and unfortunately dying from the awful thing.

“I can count myself very lucky that I had minimal problems with it.

“I’m back in training now and I’m just excited to get going.”

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