Harrogate Town trio to miss Cambridge United clash after testing positive for Covid-19

Harrogate Town will be without three key players for Saturday's League Two trip to Cambridge United.
Harrogate Town forward Aaron Martin in action against Oldham Athletic on Boxing Day. Pictures: Matt KirkhamHarrogate Town forward Aaron Martin in action against Oldham Athletic on Boxing Day. Pictures: Matt Kirkham
Harrogate Town forward Aaron Martin in action against Oldham Athletic on Boxing Day. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

Right-back Ryan Fallowfield, winger Brendan Kiernan and striker Aaron Martin have all contracted Covid-19, tests conducted on Monday morning revealed.

All three men have started each of the Sulphurites' last six matches (including the abandoned fixture against Carlisle United), but have been in self-isolation since learning that they have coronavirus and will not be involved at the Abbey Stadium.

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Manager Simon Weaver described the news as a "blow" and revealed that the club contacted the Football League (EFL) earlier in the week regarding the possibility of postponing Saturday's match, but were informed that such a move was not possible.

"It's a real blow to lose Ryan, Brendan and Aaron and obviously we hope they recover as soon as possible," the Town boss told the Harrogate Advertiser.

"They've all been starting of late all three of them have been doing well. They are three big players to lose so we asked the EFL whether it would be possible to postpone the Cambridge match, but the answer was 'no'.

"Their opinion is that with the new signings we've brought in that we should be covered in terms of numbers.

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"All we could do was present the facts of our situation, follow their guidance and accept the decision."

The absence of Fallowfield, Kiernan and Martin has led to three of Town's five January signings being handed starts against Cambridge.

Mitchell Roberts comes into the back-four, while Josh McPake will play just off striker Josh March.

Fellow new arrivals William Hondermarck and Jay Williams are on the substitutes' bench.