Report: Newcastle's entire squad in self-isolation after COVID-19 outbreak

Newcastle United's entire squad was asked to self-isolate as the club attempts to contain a COVID-19 outbreak affecting a significant number of players, according to The Guardian's Louise Taylor.

Specially ordered tests were carried out Sunday after four players and a member of manager Steve Bruce's coaching staff returned positive results.

Subsequent tests carried out on the entire squad resulted in an alarming number of positive cases, leading to a widespread self-isolation order.

The Premier League club's training ground was also closed Monday and isn't expected to open until Wednesday, Taylor adds.

Bruce has reportedly speculated that the outbreak was started by players returning from the international break earlier in November.

It's unclear if the outbreak will impact Newcastle's match against Aston Villa on Friday.

There appears to be a chance Friday's contest could be the first Premier League match this season to be postponed because of the virus - it would also be the first since top-tier football resumed last summer.

Taylor notes that Bruce could push for the match to be postponed on the grounds that many of his players risk getting injured without an appropriate amount of time to prepare for the game, which is set to take place 48 hours after Newcastle's training ground re-opens.

It's understood, however, a proposal to delay the fixture would be met with resistance from the Premier League. It has previously been stated that games should go ahead as scheduled if a team can field 11 players with three substitutes on the bench.

On Sunday, the Premier League announced that COVID-19 tests carried out from Nov. 23-29 resulted in 10 new positives, but - similar to previous statements - the names of the players and coaches weren't revealed.