West Ham vice-chair: Teams expected to play with just 15 fit players

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West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady understands Premier League clubs are expected to fulfill fixtures even if their 25-man squad is reduced to 15 fit players.

The potential issue of depleted rosters was discussed in Thursday's conference call between Premier League clubs. It was a point of concern after a spate of strains and short-term muscle injuries occurred in Germany following the resumption of the 2019-20 Bundesliga season. Squad numbers would also be cut if players contracted the coronavirus.

"There are obvious concerns about what happens if you cannot field your usual or strongest starting XI," Brady said, according to The Guardian's Paul Wilson. "It seems as long as you have 15 fit players including a goalkeeper from your main squad or your under-21s you will be deemed to have a team fit enough to fulfill the fixture."

The Premier League is working toward a provisional restart date of June 17. Clubs will be allowed to make five substitutions during matches when they return to action, but a 15-man matchday squad would only allow managers to make four changes.

Watford could be one team dealing with weakened resources due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The relegation-threatened Hornets' captain and top scorer Troy Deeney is yet to return to training over fears he will pass the coronavirus to his five-month-old son, who suffers from breathing difficulties.