CREWE'S Covid-19 outbreak will offer some squad players a chance to shine against Wigan tomorrow with the League One clash at Gresty Road scheduled to go ahead.

The club has heard nothing yet from the EFL to suggest otherwise about the fixture or any response to the detailed statement manager Dave Artell submitted after last weekend's short-notice postponement at Oxford United.

Omar Beckles reported a positive Covid-19 test on the day of the game days after Ryan Wintle produced a similar result. Oxford boss Karl Robinson was reluctant to play and Artell says it was the right decision to call the game off; it will now take place next Tuesday (October 13).

The subsequent round of coronavirus testing of players and staff saw a further two Alex players and the club doctor return positive results, and like Wintle and Beckles they are all completing 10 days of self-isolating in accordance with government guidelines.

Artell said: "It will be an opportunity for whoever gets selected. There's always going to be injuries, suspensions and Covid stuff this year and that is where you need your squad players.

"They're going to get a chance and we will see where we get to. It will be a good game against Wigan as they've got some good attacking players who can score goals. But it is a game we should try and win."

The Crewe boss admits the timing of last Saturday's test result could not have been worse, but stresses the club have strictly followed all guidelines. The club's Reaseheath training ground was shut for players and staff until Wednesday after the results from the latest round of testing were known.

And social distancing, one-way routes and the provision of separate accommodation on away trips have all been in place since pre-season.

While Wintle felt unwell and was taken off during last week's EFL Trophy tie with Newcastle under-21s, none of those with positive tests have shown symptoms since their results were made known.

But Artell suspects that football will have more difficult issues tackling coronavirus. Wigan have confirmed today that defenders Nathan Cameron and Adam Long are self-isolating after returning positive tests.

"It is not uncommon, we hear Wigan have got some [cases] and Shrewsbury. It is among football clubs like it is with students and at food outlets. We have got to mitigate the risk and we wear masks, eat at separate tables and change in the dome [at training ground]," said the manager.

"We've had all these things in place for months now which is why the spread has been mitigated."

He added: "If the EFL want to take sanctions against us then that is fine, but I don't think we did anything wrong. We were extremely mindful of what the law of the land dictates. If we have had a breach somewhere we will improve and put things in place.

"It was all about the timing. One lad tried to do the best for his family and it blew up in his face and ours. No-one wants to see any player get ill.

"Should we be getting tested? I don't see why not. Situations like last week are always going to happen."