Burnley vs Fulham: Match postponed due to Coronavirus cases in Cottagers camp

Everyone at VAVEL wishes a speedy recovery to all who have tested positive at Fulham Football Club, and to everyone who has been affected by this virus. 

It is a great shame this game had to be called off, but it is only right. 

The health and wellbeing of anyone takes precedence over a game of football, so it's right that the game is postponed for a later date. 

Coronavirus is still here. We need to be careful. 

Please stay safe and take care of yourself during this unfortunate and difficult period. Please be sensible and don't break the rules that are in place to prevent you from catching this horrible virus.

VAVEL still has live coverage of all of the rest of the Premier League games this weekend, we hope you can join us. 

I will see you next time, goodbye!

"Burnley Football Club can confirm that the Premier League game against Fulham, due to take place at Turf Moor this Sunday (3rd January), has been postponed.

The Premier League have advised the postponement of this game following a Covid-19 outbreak that has affected our visitors.

All at Burnley Football Club pass on our best wishes to those in the Fulham camp affected, and wish them a speedy recovery.

A new date for the game will be announced in due course.

Burnley's next game will be the FA Cup third round tie at home to MK Dons, on Saturday 9th January (3pm KO).

That will be followed by the rearranged Premier League game against Manchester United at Turf Moor on Tuesday 12th January(8.15pm KO).

The annual 'In Memoriam' tribute, planned to take place this Sunday, will now happen ahead of the United game."

A Fulham Club Statement a few minutes ago reads: 

"Following further new positive results returned from the most recent Covid-19 tests, the Club can confirm that this Sunday’s away fixture at Burnley has been postponed after discussions with the Premier League and advice from medical teams.

Those who tested positive are self-isolating in line with UK Government and Premier League guidance.

The welfare of our players, staff and their families continue to be of paramount importance, and we wish those who have tested positive a safe and speedy recovery."

Burnley v Fulham has been postponed!

Burnley v Fulham is live on Sky Sports Premier League, kick-off is 12pm. 

If you can't watch the game yourself, you should follow along right here on VAVEL!

I will see you all on Sunday ... Hopefully!

All of Scott Parker's attention has been on the potential postponement of the game. 

"We are preparing the best we can to go up to Burnley and really put in a performance to try and get some points.

"We will wait for the last round of testing. For me the main focus is to prepare the team the best I can to get a result.

I will bring you Sean Dyche's comments as soon as I get them...

Burnley: 

Pope; Pieters, Mee, Tarkowski, Lowton; Brady, Westwood, Benson, Brownhill; Wood, Barnes.

Fulham (likely to change):

Areola; Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo; Decordova-Reid, Lemina, Reed, Zambo Anguissa, Robinson; Lookman, Mitrovic.

It is impossible to know which players have tested positive for Coronavirus, the club have kept that information close to their chest. 

We will not know which players are missing due to the virus, but there are no new injuries besides the large number of cases. 

Sean Dyche will be without Charlie Taylor after he sustained a hamstring injury in the win over The Blades. 

Dwight McNeil has missed the last two games through injury and could make his return to the bench, if not to the starting 11. Likewise for Jay Rodriguez.

Jack Cork and Johann Berg Gudmundsson are still out, but should make returns over the next month after stepping up their recoveries. 

Fulham are on a four game unbeaten run, with draws in all of them. 

That includes a point against Southampton on Boxing Day and against the champions Liverpool before Christmas. 

However, the Cottagers haven't played since the draw with The Saints after positive Covid-19 tests meaning their game with Tottenham Hotspur was postponed.

The game at Turf Moor is under threat as well, but I will update this live stream as soon as more is known of the situation. 

This is the first game since the completed takeover at Burnley, and the first under new chairman Alan Pace.

After a win over hapless Sheffield United, the Clarets will be looking to pick up their first points of 2021 at the earliest opportunity. 

A win could take Burnley up to 14th, dependant on other results this weekend, and eight points ahead of their opposition at Turf Moor.

Burnley v Fulham is on Sunday 3 January, and is a 12pm kick-off at Turf Moor, Burnley.

Hello and welcome to VAVEL's live text coverage of Burnley v Fulham. 

My name is Luke Williamson, I will be taking you through from first whistle to last.

Join me for live updates right here!