Steve Bruce revealed two Newcastle players are 'not well at all' after contracting coronavirus and warned the disease is not to be underestimated after laying low a couple of elite athletes.
Bruce was taken aback by how quickly the virus swept through the club earlier this month, leading to a closure of their training ground for more than a week and the postponement of their match against Aston Villa on December 4.
Defender Federico Fernandez was one of a number of players infected but he is in contention to face Leeds on Wednesday night after his latest negative test and Bruce is hopeful Newcastle are through the worst of the crisis.