Birmingham City reveal goalkeeper Neil Etheridge is receiving treatment in hospital for Covid-19
- Championship club said goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was in hospital with Covid-19
- 31-year-old Philippines international has been in pre-season training with club
- Statement from Birmingham wishes Etheridge well in his fight against virus
- It comes as infection rates rise across the UK as delta variant spreads
Birmingham City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge is receiving treatment in hospital for Covid-19.
The 31-year-old Philippines international has contracted the virus, which is spreading rapidly again across the United Kingdom.
The Championship club confirmed the news in a statement on Wednesday morning.
Birmingham City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, 31, is in hospital being treated for Covid-19
It read: ‘The club can confirm that Neil Etheridge is currently receiving treatment in hospital for COVID-19. Everyone at BCFC is sending him all our strength and best wishes.’
The club’s technical director Craig Gardner added: ‘On behalf of the board, the staff, the players and everyone connected to the club, we’re all behind Neil and willing him on his battle against COVID-19.
‘We’re in constant contact with his close family and will continue to support them in any way we can.
‘He’s in the best possible hands and we’re hopeful we can all welcome him home at the earliest opportunity.’
Etheridge makes a save from Coventry City’s Tyler Walker in a Championship match last year
Etheridge signed for the St Andrew’s club in September last year from Championship rivals Cardiff City. He played in 43 Championship matches in his debut campaign with Blues as they ultimately finished in 18th position having flirted with relegation.
36,660 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in the UK on Tuesday and 50 additional deaths as the highly infectious Delta variant continues to spread. Around 2,700 people are currently in hospital with the virus.
Some 45,978,017 vaccinations have been given in total, including a daily figure of 54,296 first and 125,360 second doses on Tuesday.
