Steve Bruce has questioned the morality of continuing the season in the midst of the coronavirus crisis - but insisted fielding youth teams in the FA Cup this weekend will 'devalue' the competition.
The alarming spate of recent Covid-19 cases across the football pyramid in recent weeks has plunged domestic action into chaos, and unsurprisingly raised questions over what lies ahead for the campaign.
And when quizzed for his thoughts on the dilemma, Bruce admitted he is conflicted.
He said: 'We have had two players who were very, very sick and one or two members of staff who were nearly hospitalised.