England boss Sarina Wiegman plays down Covid fears ahead of Euro 2022 quarter-final vs Spain

England boss Sarina Wiegman shrugged off fears that Covid-19 could derail the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 campaign after another positive test in the camp ahead of the side’s quarter-final clash with Spain on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton became the third person inside the squad to contract the virus on Tuesday after defender Lotte Wubben-Moy and Wiegman herself had previously registered positive tests.

But the Dutch manager asserted that her staff had been preparing for any eventuality, and insisted that her squad will adapt to any challenges that come their way.

“It’s not the worst nightmare, it’s just the situation we have to deal with,” said Wiegman.

“We have set everything in place. We just deal with the situation. I have been involved in all the training, just from a big distance with a mask on.

“With the technical staff, we have a workflow that’s so fluent that everyone knows what to do.”

Players had previously been free to roam from the Lionesses’ base at The Lensbury in Teddington, South West London, but Wiegman admitted they have had to bring in tighter measures in a bid to avoid further positive tests.

“During our preparations which started last year, we’ve always said we don’t know how things develop and hopefully covid is not around anymore but if it’s around then we have to take measurements,” she added.

“That’s what we’re doing now. We’re really aware, we’re very careful but we’re trying to stay in our bubble, do the right things.

“The situation changed because I got positive. We want to do everything to be successful and we have to take action, so yes we’ve done some more strict measurements and everyone understands.

“It’s not totally new for us, of course you don’t want it at the Euros, but it’s not new so we know what we have to do.

“We need to stay calm with the ones who can play and continue what we’re doing.

“Hopefully we keep everyone fit and when there is a positive we have to be agile, creative and continue with the ones who are fit.”

Wiegman’s positive test meant she was absent from the touchline for England’s 5-0 win over Northern Ireland in their final group game, and still doesn’t know whether she will be in the dugout in Brighton tomorrow.

“I’m ready to go but I still have to wait,” admitted Wiegman. “I’m very hopeful but we’ll see what happens. We do know if I can’t be there, I’ll be around in another way.

“We had a line, so I was in contact with the technical staff all the time during the game, so we stayed connected all the time and if necessary, that’s what we’ll do tomorrow.

“There’s a lot of space so I can get a bit of fresh air, stay at a distance from everyone and have some virtual meetings with staff.

“It’s a lot better when you’re doing it live and together but we’ve learnt the last three years that we can be efficient in different ways so that’s what we’re doing now – just adapt to the situation.”

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