Former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney said on Monday that he had tested negative for the coronavirus but must self-isolate for 10 days after coming into contact with a friend who tested positive.
"Just received the news that my COVID-19 test has shown I do not have the virus," Rooney wrote on Twitter. "Delighted for myself and family but obviously angry and disappointed that I now have to self-isolate and miss vital games for Derby."
Wayne Rooney of Derby County (R) is closed down by Samba Sow of Nottingham Forest during the Sky Bet Championship in Derby, UK, July 4, 2020. /VCG
Derby confirmed that Rooney must self-isolate until October 29, in line with British government and English Football League guidelines.
It means the 34-year-old will miss Derby's next three league games at Huddersfield on Tuesday and Nottingham Forest on Friday, plus the home game with Cardiff on October 28.
Now a player-coach at the second-tier Championship side, Rooney is reportedly to be "angry" with the friend who had visited him despite being told to take a COVID-19 test and later testing positive.
Rooney played in Derby's 1-0 home defeat by Watford on Friday, a day after the friend visited him at his home but Rooney had no awareness of any health concerns by that time.
Derby are 21st in the standings among all 24 clubs after five games.
(With input from agencies)