England boss Gareth Southgate will have to contend without both Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell after they were ruled out of tonight's final European Championships group game against Czech Republic because a tunnel rendezvous with Scotland's Covid-positive Billy Gilmour forced them into self-isolation.
Southgate, when quizzed on the decision to place both Chelsea players into isolation on Monday, was unsure if they would be ineligible to play against Czech Republic at Wembley.
Confirmation arrived this morning that neither are eligible for selection until Monday, June 28 because of their close contact with Gilmour, who Scotland confirmed to have tested positive for Covid just days on from his man-of-the-match display at Wembley against England.
A statement from England read: 'We can confirm that Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount must isolate up to and including next Monday [28 June]. This decision has been taken in consultation with Public Health England.
'The pair were confirmed overnight as close contacts of Scotland’s Billy Gilmour after his positive COVID-19 test following last Friday’s match.
'Chilwell and Mount will isolate and train individually in private areas at England’s training base St. George’s Park, with the rest of the squad returning there after tonight’s fixture against Czech Republic at Wembley.
'We will continue to follow all COVID-19 protocols and the UEFA testing regime, while remaining in close contact with PHE.
'The entire England squad and staff had lateral flow tests on Monday and all were again negative, as was the case with Sunday’s UEFA pre-match PCR tests. Further tests will be carried out as and when appropriate.'
The Scotland midfielder's Chelsea colleagues Mount, who played the entire 90 minutes, and Chilwell, who was an unused substitute, were photographed standing next to - and embracing - the Scot after the game.
Southgate added that his two players also met up with Gilmour in the tunnel area after the game - and that has since been deemed a breach Covid protocols which has cost them any involvement in the final match of Group D, as well as any involvement in group training through until the last-16 of the tournament.
England stars Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell must self-isolate after being recorded with Scotland's Billy Gilmour on Friday
Mount embraced Chelsea colleague Gilmour - who has now tested positive for Covid-19 - after the 0-0 draw at Wembley
Mount and Chilwell were among the full England squad to return to training on Monday but both are now unavailable to play
England manager Gareth Southgate's plans for Euro 2020 have been rocked by the news that two players must self-isolate
England staff were locked in talks with Public Health England overnight to ascertain when the duo could rejoin the squad. It has been concluded that both can have no involvement until June 28 at the earliest.
Mount and Chilwell will be isolated and will be required to train individually at St George's Park.
England players underwent extra lateral flow testing on Monday, with all of them returning negative tests.
Nevertheless, the news arrived as a major headache to Southgate, although his side's passage into the last-16 was booked after Ukraine and Finland both finished third in their groups with three points.
'I don't want to cause a drama for Scotland but if you're all in the dressing room together where does everything stand?,' said Southgate, appearing to question the Covid guidelines.
'I don't know is the honest answer to that. Our medical people are dealing with all of this,' said the England boss.
'I was on the training pitch when I found out, so we'd just literally finished training.
'In terms of the team, we'll need to go through details with the players in the morning really, so we'll have to know by first thing in the morning of their
