A row between the football authorities and government in Norway could stop Sander Berge playing for Sheffield United this weekend.
The Norwegians have not played during this international break after the country’s Health Ministry stopped them travelling.
It followed a positive COVID-19 test for defender Omar Elabdellouai, with all of the players told to go into quarantine as a result.
Yorkshire Live reports this has led to a fallout between the Norwegian Football Federation and the government.
The NFF felt the Nations League match with Romania should have gone ahead.
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
If the self-isolation period is imposed, then Berge would be unable to play for the Blades against West Ham United on Sunday.
However, there good be some good news on that front.
Update on other Norway players gives Blades hope about Berge
Former Blade and Norway international-turned journalist, Jan Aage Fjortoft, says Norwegian players in the Bundesliga will be eligible to play this weekend.
German laws are of course different to those in the UK, but United do actually have precedent when it comes to this.
During the last international break in October, John Egan came into close contact with a Republic of Ireland teammate who later tested positive.
Egan went into quarantine and missed fixtures with Wales and Finland as a result.
There were also doubts whether the defender would be able to play in the first Blades fixture after the break.
Yet after returning a negative test and discussions between the club and the Premier League and British government, Egan was allowed to feature against Fulham.
History would therefore suggest that, as long as Berge tests negative, he too should be able to face West Ham in Sunday.
Which would be a huge boost for struggling United. Berge has been one of the positives in a difficult season so far.
Ahead of hosting the Hammers, Chris Wilder’s side are bottom of the table with one point from eight games.
But Berge has grown into his role as a box-to-box midfielder. The Blades could really do with the 22-year-old available if they are to secure their first win of 2020/21.
