Leicester v Norwich postponed as COVID-19 hits Premier League again

 

Lowly Norwich City are battling COVID-19 cases and injuries, leaving them unable to go ahead with Saturday's away game against Leicester.

Leicester City will have to wait to follow up their stunning win over Liverpool after the Foxes' New Year's Day home game against Norwich City was postponed.

The decision to call off the January 1 fixture was made by the Premier League board after a request from the Canaries, who warned they would struggle to field a team.

Norwich confirmed the postponement, saying it came "after PCR test confirmation of positive COVID-19 results and injuries" within their squad.

It becomes the first Premier League game of the new year to be postponed, after a spate of matches were called off in December amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

"Those individuals who have returned a positive COVID-19 test result are completing a period of self-isolation, as per Premier League protocols and government guidelines," Norwich added in a statement.

"The club regrets any inconvenience caused to Leicester City and both sets of supporters."

The Premier League said in its own statement that it ascertained Norwich, the league's bottom side, "do not have the required number of players available for the match, due to COVID-19 cases and injuries".

The minimum player availability required by the league to allow a game to go ahead is 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper.

Leicester scored a 1-0 home win over high-flying Liverpool on Tuesday, allowing them to climb to ninth place. Their next Premier League fixture is scheduled to be a trip to Burnley on January 15, with Norwich due to be in action on the same day as they host Everton.