Crystal Palace have confirmed that manager Patrick Vieira will miss this afternoon's Premier League clash with Tottenham after testing positive for COVID-19. The Frenchman, who has had difficulties trying to prepare his side for the match, will now embark on a period of isolation.
His assistant manager Osian Roberts will deputise for today’s match as the Eagles look to cause an upset against Antonio Conte's side in north London.
The build-up to the match has been somewhat overshadowed by more COVID-19 controversy after a new outbreak within the Palace ranks.
Vieira had confirmed on Friday that he had several new cases within his squad, raising doubts as to whether the game would go ahead.
Palace are understood to have recorded new positives on Christmas Day with some sources suggesting the Premier League were expected to postpone the contest.
Patrick Vieira will miss Crystal Palace's trip to Tottenham (Image: GETTY)
Yet talks rumbled on well into the night and the Premier League later decided they wanted the game played, permitting Palace carried out morning testing this morning.
The Eagles were anticipating a postponement due to the rate the virus had spread after two members of staff also tested positive.
Palace were due to report back to their training ground last night to set off for the game after spending time with their families, before they were rocked by the news positives.
Meanwhile, match-going supporters were eagerly awaiting for clarity as they prepared to make their way to White Hart Lane.
Many had made specialist travel arrangements due to the disrupted train timetables across the country.
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We can confirm that Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is self-isolating after returning a positive test for Covid-19, and will be absent from the touchline for today’s match against Spurs.
Palace are expected to name several fringe players in their starting XI and Tottenham will be keen to capitalise on that.
The Spurs players stayed overnight at The Lodge - the accommodation at the club's training ground on Xmas Day.
As far as Tottenham were concerned, they'd received no communication that the game was in doubt...
Tottenham will be determined to build on one of the brightest displays of their season last time out in the Premier League against Liverpool, while they will also take confidence from the 2-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final win over West Ham.