Leyton Orient vs Tottenham in major doubt after Covid-19 outbreak at League Two club

Leyton Orient have shut their training ground and stadium after ‘a number of players’ tested positive for the disease

Brisbane Road has shut in the wake of the outbreak (Getty Images)

Leyton Orient have shut their training ground and stadium after “a number of first-team players” tested positive for Covid-19. 

The club are now in discussion with the EFL and Tottenham Hotspur ahead of their scheduled League Cup game with Spurs at Brisbane Road on Tuesday evening.

The discovery followed testing of the playing squad after Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Mansfield. Mansfield have been informed, as have previous opponents Plymouth and Oldham. The testing was paid for by Spurs as a precaution, with regular testing not mandatory in League Two.

The situation arises on the same day the UK government announced more stringent measures to control the resurgent virus, and means Spurs’ five-mile trip to east London for the Carabao Cup third round is highly unlikely to go ahead at Brisbane Road, and could be postponed.

Spurs are in the midst of a congested run of fixtures, with the game scheduled to fall only two days after Sunday’s 5-2 win over Southampton and two days before Thursday’s Europa League trip to Macedonian side FK Shkendija.

In a statement, Orient said: "Today (Monday 21st) we received formal confirmation which shows that a number of our first-team squad have tested positive for COVID-19.

"We have informed the EFL and Tottenham Hotspur and will make a further announcement regarding Tuesday’s match shortly.

"We have also informed Mansfield Town, Plymouth Argyle and Oldham Athletic, our three most recent opponents, prior to the public release of this information.

"Leyton Orient’s priority is the health and well-being of its players and staff. Those who have tested positive will now strictly follow government self-isolation guidelines.

"The Breyer Group Stadium and training ground facilities will be closed until further notice."