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Stevens insists Ireland feel safe despite Covid results

Enda Stevens in action during Ireland's goalless draw with Wales on Sunday
Enda Stevens in action during Ireland's goalless draw with Wales on Sunday

Republic of Ireland defender Enda Stevens has insisted he and his team-mates feel safe despite a series of positive coronavirus tests within the camp. 

Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah were ruled out of Thursday night's Euro 2020 play-off semi-final in Slovakia after a member of non-football staff returned what proved to be a false positive, while two members of the squad have since had positive results. 

Asked on the eve of Wednesday's Nations League fixture in Finland if the players feel safe, Stevens said: "Obviously we feel safe. It's our first experience with it all happening, club and country, but it's just something that we've been living with for the past months. 

"Yes, you are in contact with your club. Even before Covid was here, our clubs would still be in contact with us asking is everything okay. 

"As I said, it's new to a lot of us, but it's just something you have to get on with. It's here and it's not going anywhere soon, but we have to trust in the doctors and the staff here. They're doing their very best to keep us safe and hopefully they can." 

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Sheffield United's Stevens admitted the withdrawals of Connolly and Idah in Bratislava and the absence of five players for Sunday's clash with Wales had proved disruptive, but was philosophical about the situation in which the squad is currently operating. 

The 30-year-old said: "They just set out guidelines for us and we've got to maintain our distance from each other as much as we can. We have been doing that and it's just unfortunate with the cases that we have got. 

"It's out of our hands, really, it's just really unlucky for us, especially with the timing of it and all that. But it's just something that we've got to live with at the moment, and you hope people are staying safe and people who have tested positive that they overcome it and are okay." 

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