Luton goalkeeper Simon Sluga was forced to miss the goalless draw at Nottingham Forest for flying on a plane with someone that has Covid, despite boss Nathan Jones revealing the Croatian international is fully vaccinated, has tested negative and has even played since the international break.
The stopper was pinged due to coming into close contact with someone that has tested positive for coronavirus and despite everything else carrying on as normal, rules surrounding his vaccine meant he had to miss a Championship match for the first time this term.
Sluga was with his national team during the international break, with Croatia qualifying for next year’s World Cup, but he returned to club action on Friday for Luton’s 2-0 league defeat at Queens Park Rangers. But after being contacted yesterday, he was ruled out of the trip to the City Ground.
Speaking of the absence, Jones said: “He’s double jabbed. He’s been on a plane in close contact with someone and he’s got pinged so he couldn’t play. We test every day. Negative. He’s double-jabbed, but it’s a Croatian double-jab. It’s Johnson & Johnson, so it’s recognised but, apparently, that’s not good enough for him to play. But, to be fair, Sheasy came in and was excellent in everything he did.”
Asked if Sluga will be available for the visit of Cardiff City to Kenilworth Road on Saturday, the Welshman said: “I don’t know. We don’t know these days. Let’s ask the EFL. Maybe they’ll give us another away game and we’ll have to isolate. Who knows? Maybe they’ll isolate in St Albans, because he lives in St Albans. Maybe no-one from St Albans can come and we’ll have another away game. Let’s ask the EFL.”
