Neil Warnock opens up on his Coronavirus fight - and warns young people

Warnock is back at work, having overcome Covid-19 and will be back directing operations from the touchline in Saturday's home encounter with Barnsley - his milestone 1,500th game in charge in the English Football League.

The veteran manager, 71, admits that the sight of young revellers partying in the streets in some city centres last weekend and images of some students congregating together amid party scenes at Coventry University has left him very disappointed.

Fit and well again after his time in self-isolation, which saw him miss the games against Bournemouth and QPR and follow the matches remotely, Warnock said: "I think we can deal with it a lot better if people listen to the advice being given.

"It makes me disappointed to see 200 people at the university in Coventry having a party and I think when you are young, you have got no responsibility.

"The majority of university students and really thoughtful and helpful and they know. But you get the odd patch like that and it makes me disappointed.

"They may be enjoying the party, but it is (potentially) life or death if they go home at the weekend or see one of their elderly relatives.

"There is no thought whatsoever there. This is a killer disease, especially for older people. I'd like us to be a little bit more responsible."

On his own experiences of the virus, he added: "It was strange really. I as very fortunate I didn't get anything on chest, I just started with a niggly throat and then just lost my sense of smell and taste.

"Originally in the first few days, I was just shattered and wanting to go to sleep every minute of the day. You have got no option but to look after yourself. My son was with me and had to isolate as well.

"With this virus, you are constantly shattered and don't feel like doing anything. In a way, it has been a blessing and I now should have some of these things that can fight it in my bloodstream. I was a very tiring experience for me.

"I really wanted to go to QPR and felt good on the Friday morning, but it was just the thought of travelling and didn't think was worth it.

"It is life and death with this horrible virus and it makes you more aware of how careful you are. I am going around my own house two or three times a day doing the surfaces and handles. I am getting a bit paranoid about that, but I think we have all got to try and do that.

"It annoys me when I see 200 kids having a party. It is not so much what is happening in their vicinity, but the wider area. They must have grandparents and parents who are older who have got problems.

"There is not enough thought going on at times in certain areas, which disappoints me at the moment."

And on how he potentially contracted the virus, he said: "Our IT lad was probably the worse off and had a lot of problems with his chest and had it beforehand.

"I had a meeting going through the Bournemouth game (before) and had an hour with him on his own in an office without any windows open or anything and you have just got to have circulation.

"I won't put myself in a situation like that again."