Newcastle star Isaac Hayden admits he 'underestimated' coronavirus and was left 'shocked' by the effects of the disease after being left bed-ridden for over a WEEK

• Isaac Hayden was one of a handful of Newcastle players to contract coronavirus 
• The 25-year-old was left bed-ridden for over a week and left doing 'very little' 
• The former Arsenal academy starlet has now opened up on his tough recovery 
• Steve Bruce revealed fears two of his stars may be suffering from 'long Covid'

Newcastle star Isaac Hayden has admitted he 'underestimated' coronavirus after the disease left him bed-ridden for over a week.

The 25-year-old was one of a number of players at the club who tested positive recently following a mass outbreak which saw their clash with Aston Villa postponed.

And former Arsenal youngster Hayden has now detailed his struggles to mount a full recovery and return to action.

He told talkSPORT: 'It took me by surprise, to be honest, how badly it affected me.

'I definitely underestimated it.

'I was thinking, "I'm a young and healthy athlete, if I have it I'd be asymptomatic and I'd be fine".

'But it was tough; I was in bed for seven to ten days, doing very little and having pretty much every symptom going. It was very difficult.

'But once I got over the worst of it, the 11th and 12th day I started to do a bit [of training] outside and I built up from there.

'Now we've come into the busy period of games, which is difficult enough as it is, but thankfully I'm over that now and I can look to add to my fitness over the coming weeks and get strong for the second half of the season.'

Hayden was selected for the full 90 minutes in Newcastle's games with West Brom and Leeds over the last week. 

Newcastle's training facilities were shut down in a bid to prevent any further spreading of the virus among Steve Bruce's squad.

Boss Bruce voiced fears that up to five first-team players would be missing for the fixture against Fulham.

There are still concerns over the health of the stars and staff members currently affected with Bruce also revealing two players may have 'long-term Covid'.  

'My thoughts are with the two players, and the welfare of them,' he said. 'It's frightening when you think they are young and fit and absolutely supreme athletes. If anybody needs reminding of how serious this is, then we have witnessed it.' 

At least 10 players and staff have contracted coronavirus at the club.