SOCCER SATURDAY host Simon Thomas will not host the Sky Sports show this afternoon after contracting Covid.
The presenter, 50, will be replaced by journalist and broadcaster Caroline Barker.
Speaking on Twitter, he said: "Sadly no #soccersaturday for me today - #Covid has hit the Thomas household.
"@carolinebarker is in the hot seat today. Go well CB - you’ll be brilliant. See you next week. ????"
Football fans offered their support for Thomas as they wished him a speedy recovery.
Spectacular New Year fireworks light up London sky as huge crowds celebrate across UK for first time in three years
One said: "Get well soon Sir - been a cracking start!"
Another added: "Hope you're all feeling better and testing negative soon Simon ????⚽️."
While a third replied: "You can watch City, Simon, that should cheer you up ???????? get well soon."
Thomas took over from long-standing Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling after his 25-year stint as the show's presenter concluded at the end of last season.
He broke through as a host of Blue Peter in 1999.
FREE BETS - BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
He first began hosting Premier League coverage for Sky Sports at the start of the 2016/17 season.
Meanwhile, his replacement, Barker, made her name as a BBC Radio reporter.
Nowadays, she is known as the host of The Totally Football League Show on Sky Sports.
Barker is also a netball commentator and pundit and has hosted other sporting events such as the Champions League of Darts and NFL International Series.
Hospitals run out of oxygen and mortuaries full amid NHS chaos
The Premier League lunchtime kick-off on Saturday sees champions Manchester City take on title rivals Liverpool at the Etihad.
That is followed by five 3pm games in the top flight, before Brentford host Arsenal in the late match.
There is also a full compliment of Football League fixtures as the Championship returns alongside the Premier League following the international break.
