PHIL PARKINSON is ready to ban Sunderland’s players from travelling overseas because of fears over the coronavirus if the forthcoming international break forces the postponement of their game at Southend United.

The Black Cats are due to play at Roots Hall at the end of next month, but with the likes of Jon McLaughlin, Conor McLaughlin, Tom Flanagan, Lynden Gooch and Kyle Lafferty potentially in line for international call-ups, there is a good chance Sunderland will call for the game to be rearranged.

Ordinarily, Parkinson would give his players an extended break if there was a blank 14-day period without a game, and a number might choose to get some sunshine overseas.

However, with the global spread of coronavirus raising fears of travel bans that might prevent people from certain countries re-entering the United Kingdom, Parkinson is set to instruct his players to remain at home.

He said: “We’ve had a meeting with our doctor earlier in the week. With the international break coming up, we’ve spoken about players travelling abroad. It’s not just the lads playing international games, if we do give the lads a few days off, there are issues and we’re closely monitoring the situation.

“You have to be sensible. If anyone was to go away and couldn’t get back in the country, it wouldn’t look very good on us as a club and them as individuals. Hopefully, things will improve, but at the moment, there’s no sign of that.”

Sunderland return to action at Coventry City on Sunday, and Parkinson has no new injury issues to deal with in the wake of Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Fleetwood Town.

However, with Kyle Lafferty, Antoine Semenyo and Will Grigg all having scored in a midweek behind-closed-doors game with Carlisle United, he has a number of forwards hoping to dislodge Charlie Wyke from the starting side.

Parkinson said: “We had a game on Wednesday against Carlisle for the lads who haven’t been playing, and we won 5-2, which I was pleased with. We’ve had some in-house games, but those lads needed a proper game.

“Lafferty, Semenyo, (Josh) Scowen and Griggy all got goals in the game, so that was good for us. All the lads that are out of the team can do is train as they are doing and put in a performance like they did on Wednesday. I was very pleased with that.”