6 Players Injured, 5 Exposed To COVID-19 But Everton Still Have To Play Against Burnley, Benitez: Unfair

Rafael Benitez (Instagram @rafabenitezrb)

JAKARTA - Everton manager Rafael Benitez has said that his club's request for Sunday's game against Burnley was rejected by the Premier League.

"We have six injured players and five players have contracted COVID-19. I don't think the rejection is fair," Benitez told a news conference.

Liverpool's match against Leeds United and Watford's trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers have been postponed.

| Rafa Benitez confirms @CalvertLewin14 is back for #EVEBUR but is wary of how much he will have to play due to a shortage of players in his squad. pic.twitter.com/gkloS3lKGI

— Everton (@Everton) December 23, 2021

"My main task right now is to make sure 11 players can play in the right positions against Burnley. It's not easy," added Benitez.

"I'm really surprised that we're still playing this game. We only have nine players ready to go plus three guards. After that we have to bring in five young players who seem experienced enough to play in the Premier League."

"It's dangerous for us because people have to consider that because of the circumstances we may have to bring in players who are not ready, get injured or have to play out of position," added Benitez.

Burnley's last two Premier League matches have been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Burnley are in 18th place with 11 points from 15 games, while Everton are in 14th place with 19 points.