Football news - Third Brighton player tests positive for coronavirus

It was confirmed in March that a Brighton player had tested positive, but now three squad members have tested positive after showing symptoms, the club's CEO has told Sky Sports News.

Brighton revealed on April 2 that a second unnamed player had tested positive for COVID-19.

The announcement raises more questions over whether Premier League football can realistically resume next month.

Clubs are due to meet on Monday to further discuss "Project Restart" which envisages a return to play in June once given the green light from government, with the remaining 92 matches held behind closed doors at neutral venues.

"It is a concern. Unfortunately we've had a third player test positive yesterday," Barber told Sky Sports on Sunday.

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero had said a number of players would be fearful of resuming the season amid the virus outbreak with more than 4.02 million people infected globally and over 276,000 dead.

"There are concerns and I think it's normal for all clubs to have those concerns. We want to make sure we do everything that we can to ensure those protocols are in place and are safe and secure and mitigate the risk as far as we can," Barber added.

Brighton, 15th in the standings, have five home games left including visits from Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal, and are among a number of top-flight clubs opposed to the idea of neutral venues.