SWINDON Town’s Boxing Day trip to Portsmouth could be postponed after a “widespread” Covid-19 outbreak at the Fratton Park club.

There has yet to be any official confirmation out of either club, however, The News in Portsmouth reported that the Boxing Day fixture is set to be called off after at least three positive cases were found at Pompey and a further player was told to self-isolate.

Defender Jack Whatmough was the first Portsmouth player to fall ill, doing so ahead of Pompey’s trip to Hull City at the weekend, before two other players complained of symptoms consistent with Covid-19 after coming into close contact.

Those tests returned negative results, however, since then, two more players have tested positive for the virus. The players in question are thought to be senior squad members who would have been involved against Town on Saturday.

As a result, Pompey have opted to cancel training and test every member of the first team.

A statement from Portsmouth on Sunday, read: “Following Jack Whatmough’s recent positive test for Covid-19, players who came into close contact with the defender were also tested.

“These results came back negative. However, two other members of the squad have since complained of feeling unwell and have also tested positive.

“The club have, therefore, taken the decision to have the entire playing squad tested over the next 24 hours.

“Once the results of these tests are returned, we will be able to liaise with the EFL and our forthcoming opponents.

“Portsmouth Football Club urge all supporters to keep following government guidelines and help limit the spread of the virus.”

Meanwhile, Portsmouth CEO, Mark Catlin believes the outbreak at Fratton Park is widespread and expressed concern over being told to play a game once players who came into close contact with Whatmough tested negative.

Talking to The News, Catlin said: “It’s moving rapidly and unfortunately a couple of players reported not feeling well today (Sunday).

“Obviously, safety is paramount and EFL protocols deem that in the event of a positive test and people feeling unwell you need to isolate the people who have come into direct contact by their definition.

“But it’s quite clear this is more widespread in line with the rest of society, so we’ve taken the decision to totally err on the side of caution and test the whole squad.”

There are currently no plans for an emergency EFL meeting to discuss what happens next, or even the prospect of the season being suspended, but that may well change after a spike in cases in League One.

Ipswich saw six positive cases this weekend while Sunderland, Bristol Rovers and Peterborough have seen an outbreak at their respective clubs in recent weeks.

Swindon Town do not have any current cases of Covid-19.