Aston Villa are preparing to field a team of youngsters in Friday's FA Cup third-round tie at home to Liverpool after a "significant" Covid-19 outbreak at the club.
A final decision on whether the game will take place at all will be made on Friday.
Villa manager Dean Smith, his coaching staff and the rest of the club's first-team squad will not be involved after the outbreak forced the closure of the club's Bodymoor Heath training headquarters on Thursday.
The club is in discussions with the Football Association and want to fulfil the fixture (kick-off 19:45 GMT) but final confirmation on whether the tie is played is still on hold pending the results of further testing on the young players who are now being considered for selection.
Mark Delaney, Villa's under-23 coach, is scheduled to take charge in the absence of Smith and his backroom staff. He will be accompanied by a doctor, physiotherapist and kit staff.
