A COVID outbreak in the Oxford United squad has forced the postponement of today’s trip to Wigan Athletic.

Seven players tested positive this morning after falling ill overnight, meaning the U’s cannot raise a squad for the Sky Bet League One game.

United called off the fixture in consultation with Wigan and the English Football League (EFL), which has said it will review the circumstances surrounding the postponement.

A new date will be decided in due course.

Wigan tweeted: "Tickets purchased for the match will be eligible for the rearranged fixture, for which date and kick-off time will be confirmed in due course.

"We apologise for any convenience caused to supporters and wish our colleagues at Oxford United well."

The U's confirmed the players involved will return to Oxford away from the rest of the squad.

United host Fleetwoood Town on Tuesday, before welcoming Rotherham United to the Kassam Stadium next weekend.

It is the first time the U’s have postponed a game due to Covid in their squad, after five matches were rescheduled last season because of an outbreak in their opponents’ ranks.

However, there have been several cases of Covid-enforced disruption in recent months.

Less than three weeks before the season started, 12 players had to isolate after three players tested positive.

Gavin Whyte and Marcus McGuane also caught the virus in October, with the cases confirmed just hours before United’s win at Sheffield Wednesday.