A pre-expanded cover unit for an electrical cable includes a cold-shrinkable, tubular, elastomeric cover sleeve, a removable holdout, and a positioning device. The cover sleeve defines a cover sleeve through passage configured to receive the electrical cable. The holdout is mounted within the cover sleeve through passage and configured to be withdrawn therefrom. The holdout maintains the cover sleeve in an expanded state in which the cover sleeve is elastically expanded and, when withdrawn from the cover sleeve through passage, permits the cover sleeve to radially contract to a contracted state about the electrical cable. The positioning device is secured to the cover sleeve and includes a cable clamp. The cable clamp is configured to secure the positioning device to the electrical cable such that, when the holdout is withdrawn from the cover sleeve, the positioning device axially constrains the cover sleeve relative to the cable to axially align the contracted cover sleeve with the electrical cable.