Wayne Rooney ‘could miss next three Derby County games as he self isolates for 14 days

Wayne Rooney is expected to learn on Monday whether he has tested positive for coronavirus as he faces the possibility of missing Derby’s next three games.

England’s record goalscorer was visited at his home last Thursday by Josh Bardsley — the younger brother of Burnley defender Phil Bardsley — unaware that Bardsley Jnr had been contacted by NHS Test and Trace. Bardsley later tested positive for Covid-19, while Rooney played 90 minutes in Derby’s 1-0 home defeat by Watford on Friday.

It is thought Rooney and Bardsley — who was delivering a luxury watch to the former Manchester United star — did not meet indoors. 

Wayne Rooney will have to isolate for 14 days after coming into contact with Covid-infected friend Josh Bardsley who visited his home and then later tested positive. Pictured: Rooney was shown showing off a watch Bardsley had delivered to him

Rooney, the Derby County player-coach, will now miss the next four games and also two weeks of training with the rest of the squad

Rooney, the Derby County player-coach, will now miss the next four games and also two weeks of training with the rest of the squad

NHS guidelines state that anyone who tests positive for the virus must self-isolate for 14 days from the day of contact with an infected person.

Derby are likely to test the rest of their squad ahead of Tuesday’s Championship fixture at Huddersfield, with Rooney staying away from Sunday’s session.

Coronavirus tests are not mandatory in the EFL, although the Rams players who played for their countries during the international break were tested last week.

A statement from Rooney’s representatives said the 34-year-old was ‘angry and disappointed that he, his family and his club have been put in this position by someone acting secretly and in breach of Government and NHS guidelines’.

Bardsley, pictured above with Rooney's wife Coleen, went into Roooney's home even though he had been contacted by Test and Trace in the days prior. He has since tested positive for Covid-19, sparking concerns Rooney could have been infected

Bardsley, pictured above with Rooney’s wife Coleen, went into Roooney’s home even though he had been contacted by Test and Trace in the days prior. He has since tested positive for Covid-19, sparking concerns Rooney could have been infected

Sources close to the Derby County told MailOnline: ‘Wayne is furious and so is the club.

‘Bardsely’s been very stupid and it’s had a huge, negative impact on Wayne because it means that he now has to isolate, and potentially could even have coronavirus.’

‘He’s fuming and disappointed that he and his family been put into this position because of the reckless actions of one individual.’

Rooney’s self-isolation means that he will miss three games, not be able to train with the rest of the squad and will not be able to carry out his coaching duties.

Rooney’s friend Bardsley, 27, entered his multi-million-pound mansion to deliver him a luxury watch last Thursday, according to The Sun.

This was despite him being contacted by Test and Trace in the days prior.

The imposed isolation period also means wife Coleen will be unable to take her children on holiday during their half-term break.   

The former England star, who was then unaware about Bardsley's positive test, went on to play for Derby in Friday night's defeat to Watford

The former England star, who was then unaware about Bardsley’s positive test, went on to play for Derby in Friday night’s defeat to Watford

Josh Bardsley entered Rooney's home to deliver a watch despite Test and Trace contacting him

Josh Bardsley entered Rooney’s home to deliver a watch despite Test and Trace contacting him

Both Watford and Derby players may now have take another coronavirus test

Both Watford and Derby players may now have take another coronavirus test

The Derby star played on Friday before he was unaware he may have been exposed to Covid

The Derby star played on Friday before he was unaware he may have been exposed to Covid

Derby and Watford players will also now likely to have take a coronavirus test after Rooney’s Covid scare. 

The full statement from Wayne Rooney’s management 

‘Wayne met Josh Bardsley briefly when he visited Wayne’s house on Thursday.

‘Wayne was not told by Josh or anyone else before or during that visit that Josh had been told to take a coronavirus test.

‘It was only today following media approaches and his own investigations that Wayne became aware that Josh and been contacted by Test and Trace before the visit and should not have come to his house.

‘Wayne also today discovered that Josh had subsequently tested positive for Covid-19.

‘Had he known either that Josh had been contacted by Track and Trace or had tested positive he would have refused to have seen him.

‘Equally, had he been made aware that he had been in contact with anyone suspected of having the virus he would have immediately told his clubs as the rules require.

‘Wayne is angry and disappointed that he, his family and his club have been put in this position by someone acting secretly and in breach of government and NHS guidelines. 

‘He is now taking a coronavirus test as a result of his contact with Josh.’

The Championship club released a statement in the early hours of Sunday, which read: ‘On being made aware of this news the club has ensured that the appropriate measures were taken in line with strict EFL COVID-19 protocols and UK Government guidelines, which the club is operating under.

‘The club will continue to adhere to the COVID-19 rules and protocols to ensure that the safest possible environment is provided for its players and staff.

‘The club will make no further comment unless a further update is required in relation to this matter.’

MailOnline have approached Bardsley for comment.

The ex-Manchester United striker posed for pictures with his new watch on Bardsley’s Avant Garde Global business Instagram account. 

Bardsley wrote: ‘Level Up… What a pleasure! Manchester United’s all-time top goalscorer. England’s all-time leading top goal scorer. Thanks for the business & enjoy.’

Rooney replied: ‘Nice one lads.’

Rooney must wait to see the result of his test but could now be a major doubt for Derby’s next four matches against Huddersfield, Nottingham Forest, Cardiff and Bournemouth.

In March, Rooney said the Government and football authorities were treating players like ‘guinea pigs’ by allowing games to initially continue as the coronavirus outbreak accelerated. 

He even said he would consider retiring if his wife or children fell ill because he had caught the virus as a result of continuing to play football.  

However, in April, Rooney was told off by police after he was spotted walking with Manchester City defender and neighbour Kyle Walker, despite the coronavirus lockdown.   

The Cheshire neighbours were both walking along Prestbury golf course with their families – flouting rules to only go outside with your own households. 

Rooney’s former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo was also recently forced into self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19. 

Ex fellow England star David Beckham also caught the virus after a trip to the US.  

Derby confirmed they are aware of the situation in a statement in the early hours of Sunday

Derby confirmed they are aware of the situation in a statement in the early hours of Sunday