ADAM Smith and Philip Billing will miss today's Championship clash with Reading as a precautionary measure following Joshua King's positive COVID-19 test, the Daily Echo understands.

The Norway striker returned from international duty and initially tested negative for coronavirus on Tuesday.

However, he then began developing symptoms and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.

As a result he is now self-isolating as per government guidelines for 10 days.

While no further members of Cherries' staff or squad have tested positive, the Daily Echo understands both Billing and Smith have been sent home as a precaution having been close to King during the week, before his positive test.

Neither Billing nor Smith are officially classed as "close contacts" of King, so are not legally required to isolate and were available for selection today. They have not shown any symptoms of coronavirus.

However, Cherries took the decision to leave them out for the well-being of the rest of the squad and will continue to assess the pair.

As per EFL rules, Cherries are currently not planning to retest their squad for COVID-19 until the new year.