Wayne Rooney missed Derby County's Championship clash with Reading on Monday afternoon with 'cold-like symptoms' but has tested negative for Covid-19.
The Rams manager was absent from the Select Car Leasing Stadium but was in communication with his coaching staff on the sidelines.
The Pride Park club made clear Rooney's absence was a 'precautionary measure' under Covid protocols even though he tested negative for the virus.
A club statement read: 'Derby boss Wayne Rooney won't be in attendance at the game today as he is unwell.
'Rooney has tested negative for Covid-19 and has cold-like symptoms, but has strictly followed the club's Covid-19 protocols, implemented by the Chief Medical Officer, and taken the precautionary measure to not travel with his staff and the squad to minimise any risk
'He will instead be in touch with the coaching staff throughout the 90 minutes from home.'
Rooney's assistant manager Liam Rosenior took charge of the team at Reading.
Derby came into the match off the back of three consecutive Championship wins over Blackpool, West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City in December.
Those results meant they started the afternoon 11 points from safety - with 21st place occupied by Reading - following their combined 21-point deduction earlier in the season.
They were docked 12 points in September for entering administration and then deducted a further nine points in November for admitting a breach of EFL accounting rules.
Reading were deducted six points in November for a breach of profit and sustainability regulations, plunging them into relegation trouble.