Eddie Howe says Bournemouth players are feeling 'vulnerable' after positive coronavirus test

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale tested positive for the deadly virus and Howe thinks there is anxiety among his squad as a result

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says some members of his squad are feeling anxious about a return to football amid the coronavirus crisis.

The Cherries returned to small group training last week along with the rest of the Premier League, but were hit with a bombshell when goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale tested positive for the virus.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Howe admitted the news came as a shock, and that he and the squad were "shook" by it.

"Naturally, the first thing you think about is the player's health," Howe said.

"Then his family and loved ones and making sure he hasn't passed on that infection. There was not one positive within our group during the early stages and we were comfortable and felt OK.

"But as soon as you get that one positive test, that changes the mindset of everybody. Suddenly everyone feels vulnerable, everyone is alerted to the fact that this is serious and real.

"Then the unknown comes into play. That shook us. We are now waiting for our next testing times to see if anyone else was in contact with the player.

"I imagine anxiety is there among the players. I can only imagine they are feeling the same way as I am."

Players and managers were both involved in separate meetings with Premier League chiefs and the Professional Footballers’ Association and League Managers’ Association ahead of a vote on Wednesday to begin phase two of contact training.

There is still debate to be had over when games resume as the Premier League are sticking by the original restart date of June 12, and although they may be willing to push back to June 19, managers would prefer June 26.

The big fear on the managers’ side is that if contact training starts this week then that will not give them enough time to get their players match fit in three weeks.