Man City stars Mahrez and Laporte test positive for coronavirus

Manchester City duo Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte have tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement, the club confirmed that neither player is displaying symptoms of the virus, but they are self-isolating away from the rest of the team.

The statement reads: “Both players are currently observing a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine. Neither is displaying symptoms of the virus.

“Everyone at the Club wishes Riyad and Aymeric a speedy recovery ahead of their return to training and the new season.”

City open up their Premier League campaign at Wolves on Monday September 21, having been given the opening weekend off following their participation in the final stages of the Champions League last month.

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The participation of both players in that clash at Molineux will now be in question.

Neither Laporte or Mahrez have been away on international duty in the past week, with Laporte not included in the French squad and Algeria not in action.

Manchester City are gearing up for a tough season in which they hope to win back the Premier League title from Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds prevented Manchester City from making it three consecutive title wins last campaign by storming to the title.

City also crashed out of the Champions League at the hands of Lyon at the quarter-final stage of the competition, despite being huge favourites.

It wasn’t all despair for the Citizens though, with Pep Guardiola’s men winning the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

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