It’s off! The Lionesses’ much-anticipated away game in Germany on Tuesday – potentially featuring Chelsea players Carly Telford, Millie Bright, Niamh Charles, Beth England and Fran Kirby – has been cancelled.

In a Sunday morning announcement, the FA said that there had been a positive Covid-19 test for a member of the England backroom staff, and therefore the squad’s trip had been abandoned.

Kirby, England, Charles, Bright and Telford are all on their way back to Cobham and Kingsmeadow, Kingston.

It’s a particular blow to Naimh Charles, who only made her full debut for Chelsea on October 7 at Kingsmeadow as the Blues beat Arsenal Women, and had hoped to feature in the match.

Had the Lionesses continued with their plans to fly to Germany, a 14-day quarantine requirement would have kicked in. “We cannot take the risk that this may happen to a player or member of England staff,” said the Football Association.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “This has been a difficult but necessary decision, and we look forward to the possibility of a future fixture in healthier and safer times.”

England head coach Phil Neville agreed: “This was absolutely the right course of action. We have still had a good week of training, and are looking forward to getting together next month before our match against Norway in Sheffield.”

It would have been England’s first international since March, with the prospect of a game against Europe’s highest ranked team at the Brita Arena in Wiesbaden, live on the BBC.

Niamh Charles, the Chelsea youngster who has been impressing in training and who is now pressing to be a regular for the Blues, had hoped to use the match in Germany as a further springboard for her club and international career.

Chelsea Women’s next match is Tuesday November 3 at Kingsmeadow in the Conti Cup against Spurs. Once again it will be behind closed doors as coronavirus keeps spectators away.