BURTON Albion return to action on Saturday against Crewe Alexandra after a difficult few weeks in camp.
Manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink confirmed in today's pre-match press conference that the first team had picked up 14-15 COVID-19 cases in the recent surge, as well as four members of staff - including Hasselbaink himself.
The Brewers return to action tomorrow against Crewe Alexandra at the Pirelli Stadium (3pm kick-off) having seen three games postponed - Hasselbaink's side last in action on December 11 against Rotherham United.
The Brewers still have a couple of players in isolation who will miss tomorrow's game - but the bulk of the first team has been back in training all week and Hasselbaink has plenty of options heading into tomorrow's game.
"We had around 14-15 cases (of COVID) of players, and I think four staff, including me and Dino (Maamria)," said Hasselbaink.
"I had no symptoms at all but obviously I had to isolate for seven days. At the moment, the majority of the players are back but we still have two cases who are not back, while two have come back today (Friday).
"We are getting on with it. We had a group of nine that was training and we added to that group slowly with people coming back.
"They are okay but they haven't played any matches, so you have to see (how they react). Two or three had it bad for two or three days, but that was it.
"The fitness drops because in training, you can only give them so much. If you don't play a game for three weeks, it's normal that you're going to be a little bit off it.
"We don't have a Tuesday game (after Crewe) so if I need to give more recovery, I can do."
Crewe picked up a good result in midweek, coming from a goal behind to beat Morecambe 2-1 away from home, lifting the Railwaymen off the foot of the Sky Bet League One table and securing a second win in three.
"They have played Wednesday (and) their feeling is obviously good, they've come from 1-0 behind and got a good result," said Hasselbaink.
"They are not a bad side. I know where they are in the league but we are not underestimating anybody.
"We are totally respecting them and we are going to have to be at our best, or close to it, to get a good result. That's how we are approaching the game - we have to be at it."
Hasselbaink also confirmed that striker Louis Moult will be added to the first team squad, but can not be registered in the 25-man squad until Monday, meaning he will be ineligible for the visit of Crewe.
"On Monday 3rd, we will register him straight away and he will be a part of the squad," said Hasselbaink.
"He's been training - he's still not ready to play 90 minutes but I can chuck him in, put him on the bench and give him minutes, and he will be part of it from the 3rd onwards.
"Hopefully we can see it as a new signing - somebody who wants to prove themselves and brings experience with him.
"We are looking forward to having that threat in the box."