Coronavirus Kent: Gillingham boss Steve Evans says club's zero tolerance policy will see players who display signs of any symptoms put into self-isolation

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 07:54, 16 March 2020

Updated: 07:56, 16 March 2020

Gillingham will be taking a zero tolerance approach with their players in a bid to keep them fit and healthy.

They were due back in at Priestfield on Monday after a weekend off.

Gillingham boss Steve Evans Picture: Ady Kerry

Boss Steve Evans allowed his playing squad time at home after the EFL decided to suspend all matches until April 3, at the earliest, in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus throughout football.

Gillingham will be doing their best to keep it out, too.

Evans, who was watching his former side Stamford play Spalding at the weekend, said: “From a hygiene perspective we need to be on top of our game and that is led by our medical staff who have been fantastic with everyone.

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“We will take a complete zero tolerance approach to anyone that is showing any signs of fever or the symptoms.

“They will be at home and away from the group in isolation. All the things that every responsible employer would insist on – we will do that.

“We had Jack Tucker come in on Friday morning with a cold and immediately had him isolated. The club doctor got involved but the symptoms were just of a head cold and Jack trained, the lad was fine.

“We have got the medical team all over it, everybody has got their own hand gel bottle. We have to take all precautions to make sure that not one of us becomes a carrier and passes it on to someone who could then lose their life. Just think of the pain? It is the worst in the world isn’t it?”

Priestfield isn't due to see any action until April 4 at the earliest Picture: Ady Kerry

Evans admits the pandemic is a concern to him, like many others who have elderly relatives.

He said: “I have an 83-year-old mum fighting cancer so of course you get worried. I am not alone.

“Many people in Medway will have the same issues. Why should we compromise them? We shouldn’t.

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“We have to trust the people above us that they make the right decisions. We have to go with it.”

Gillingham’s game against Fleetwood Town was called off on Friday, following an announcement from the EFL.

The Gills might have been without a game at the weekend but the club’s media team lightened the mood with a match against Fleetwood, on the video game FIFA 20.

Loan man Jordan Roberts scored four goals in a 16-0 win and was named man-of-the-match.