Club insider shares update on Tomas Soucek amid COVID-19 scare with Czech squad
West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek remains a doubt for the Premier League opener against Newcastle this weekend.
The Czech Republic international was in the middle of a COVID-19 controversy with his country, which saw them have to call-up an entirely new squad for their game with Scotland.
With isolation rulings up in the air, David Moyes could be short on options in his midfield with this being Soucek’s first-full season in England.
Claret and Hugh have reported that Soucek could have come into direct contact with the Czech masseur who tested positive for COVID-19.
Soucek was withdrawn from the squad immediately after this on Thursday, so if he had to quarantine for 14 days, he would miss the Newcastle clash and the Carabao Cup game after against Charlton.
Thankfully, the midfielder has tested negative three times, but that doesn’t mean he is fully out of harm’s way yet and able to get back into training.
He is obliged to complete seven days of isolation due to Czech rules, which would end tomorrow if it started immediately, but it is uncertain what happens upon his return to the United Kingdom.
Soucek would be a massive miss against Newcastle, with Mark Noble the only player going into the season at 100%.
Declan Rice is set to play against Denmark for England on Tuesday, and this could be a risk given his late fitness test against Iceland.
If the 21-year-old doesn’t get through the clash with the Danes, Moyes could be left with a real struggle and we keep our fingers crossed that Soucek can somehow become available in time.
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