SUNDERLAND manager Lee Johnson has confirmed an unnamed squad player in his squad has tested positive for Covid ahead of tomorrow night's Carabao Cup quarter final against Arsenal. 

Before the weekend, the club had no confirmed cases of the virus and they are hopeful the case won’t cause an outbreak amongst the squad.

The EFL and Premier League were due to meet this afternoon to discuss potential measures that could be put in place to help stem the flow of the Omicron variant which is currently surging across the country. Postponements of fixtures over the festive is considered to be a possibility. 

When asked by the Northern Echo about the general fitness amongst the squad, Johnson revealed: “A few little niggles and one Covid case so we are missing one at least going into the game.

“It’s going to happen isn’t it so we’re just going to have to adjust and bounce off it.”

Johnson also revealed that Leon Dajaku’s chances of making the trip to the Emirates Stadium are slim with the German winger set to undergo an x-ray.

The 20-year-old was substituted in the first half of the Black Cats 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town after a heavy challenge from Ipswich Town midfielder Lee Evans.

“We’re giving him every chance” added Johnson.

“We will probably x-ray it because he is still a bit sore but it is a contact injury so we’ll give him every chance to be available but I wouldn’t hold that one in too much hope.”

Aside from those players, Sunderland have no fresh injury worries ahead of their meeting with Mikel Arteta’s side.