Preston North End boss frustrated to lose Alan Browne to positive Covid-19 test while with the Republic of Ireland

Browne was tested on the morning of last Thursday's 3-0 defeat to England in a friendly at Wembley, with it coming back positive the following day.

The midfielder is self-isolating and will miss Saturday's Championship game against Sheffield Wednesday at Deepdale.

Neil reported that apart from Browne losing his sense of smell, the 25-year-old felt fine.

Browne was one of four Republic of Ireland players to test positive during this international break, and there have been players from various away with other countries who have likewise tested positive - Liverpool's Mo Salah is isolating after being tested positive while with the Egypt squad.

Not surprisingly, Neil is relieved that the next international break isn't until March.

Speaking from Exuton on a Zoom press conference on Thursday morning, Neil said: "Alan is okay. It is extremely frustrating in the fact that in the Ireland camp in particular, that is a couple of times now that they have had positive tests.

"We are not the only team affected by that. I can understand domestic teams being reluctant to allow their players to go to international games because they are being unduly punished for something they aren't involved in.

"At the moment Alan is self-isolating, it has prevented him from doing anything since he tested positive."

Neil has called into question the playing of international friendlies during the pandemic.

Qualifying matches he has no issue with, however friendly games seem unnecessary to the North End boss.

"There are games which are absolutely necessary because they are trying to get competitions done," said Neil.

"Alan contracted the virus before a friendly and that is extremely frustrating.

"For internationals, you have got so many different bodies coming from so many different teams and different bubbles, they are congregating together.

"Here we have been getting our test procedures done and have managed to contain the virus at our place to a reasonable level considering how long it has been around.

"But it seems that at every international gathering there are positive tests coming back."

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