Gary Lineker announces rare Match of the Day absence on FA Cup weekend

Gary Lineker will not be part of the BBC's coverage for the FA Cup fourth round after returning a positive Covid-19 test.

The former England striker, who has hosted the iconic Match of the Day since 1999, wrote on Twitter alongside an image of his positive lateral flow test: "Long time since I got between the lines.

"Arrived back from Cape Town early this morning. Started feeling a little unwell on the flight.

"Sorry to those sitting near, although I wore a mask for the entirety of the journey as didn’t eat. Hope I didn't pass it on to anyone on BA42."

Fans flocked with their well wishes, as Lineker responded by saying: "You're a lovely lot. Thanks too, to the brilliant scientists for the vaccines that should mean I won't be seriously ill and clog up our brilliant NHS."

In a follow-up tweet, the 61-year-old added: "Gutted to miss our live BBC Sport FA Cup 4th round ties though. Always the most fun."

Lineker was billed to presented the BBC's coverage of non-league side Kidderminster Harriers' fairytale clash with Premier League high-flyers West Ham United on Saturday.

Kidderminster beat the Championship relegation-battlers Reading in the last round but the tie was controversially not televised, a difference that manager Russell Penn is pleased with this time around.

"We as a football club, obviously we were biased, were very disappointed not to be on TV in the last round," Penn said.

"But being a football man and being around the block a little bit, I kind of second guessed we wouldn't be. If they knew there would be an upset, they would have been straight on, but we got through that tie and we are respected by the country a bit more.

"The BBC have backed that now so delighted. We are in a studio now [the room