JASON Tindall insists Cherries have had no reservations about facing Middlesbrough tomorrow, despite their manager Neil Warnock testing positive for COVID-19.

Warnock will not be on the touchline for the clash at Riverside Stadium, with assistant Kevin Blackwell instead set to take charge.

An unnamed Middlesbrough player is also understood to have tested positive for the virus and, like Warnock, is currently in a period of self-isolation.

A statement from Boro yesterday read: "The club can confirm that our manager Neil Warnock has returned a positive test for COVID-19 and will be spending a period in isolation in accordance with guidelines.

"Neil is in good spirits and we look forward to welcoming him back after his period in isolation."

And Tindall admits hearing about Warnock's positive test came as a shock.

The Cherries boss said: "Obviously I was very surprised to hear that news when it broke. First of all I'd like to wish Neil and the other members of his staff all the best and hopefully they're okay and I wish them a speedy recovery.

"In terms of affecting the dynamics of the match, I don't think it will do if I'm honest. 

"I'm sure Neil has been in verbal contact with his staff and he's got good staff around him that he can trust and communicate his thoughts and messages to the team. I'm sure they'll go out and deliver a performance that Neil will be pleased with."

Asked if he or any of his players felt uneasy about making the trip to Middlesbrough, given the north east of England is also set to go into a localised lockdown due to a rise in coronavirus cases, Tindall insisted: "We've had no players express those concerns to us. 

"Because of the protocols that we've got in place certainly here at this football club and I'm sure Middlesbrough themselves, you do feel very safe when you're in your own environment with the protocols that have been put in place and you have to adhere to. 

"Both (club) doctors I know have been in regular contact since the news broke about Neil and then with the fans being allowed in the stadium and the surrounding areas with the cases that are going on there, the doctors have been in contact with each other and they don't seem to be too concerned. 

"I'm sure when we get to Middlesbrough they've got all the right protocols in place to make sure that it's a safe environment for everyone to be in."