Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock is doing 'fine' says Kevin Blackwell

Warnock has tested positive for Coronavirus and in accordance with government deadlines, will not be at the Riverside Stadium - and will be instead watching the game remotely from his base in the north-east.

Technology will be utilised to enable the 71-year-old to speak to staff during the game and pass on any instructions.

Providing an update, Blackwell, who will take the team alongside first-team coach Ronnie Jepson, said: "Neil is fine. We wish him all the best and want him to get as well as quick as he can. Speaking to him today, if it was normal flu, I think he'd be back tomorrow.

"But clearly we are following all the protocols and it is quite right to do so.

"The beauty of modern technology now is that we can speak to Neil live as the game is going on. We will do that and use technology to the best of our advantage.

"The infrastructure allows us to use technology to our best advantage and Neil is certainly into that and he has been well enough to be involved in nearly everything we have done this week. A lot of it has not affected us in any way, shape or form."

Blackwell has also confirmed that one Boro squad member who tested positive for Covid-19 last week is still self-isolating.

He said: "There was a player (who tested) positive last week and he was obviously following the protocol in isolation and we have not seen him after he was tested and the proper protocol was followed."