EFL issue training protocols and testing update as Leeds United await 'tailored' return

The EFL has also moved to clarify the league’s approach to the testing of players for coronavirus and subsequent reporting with the first collection of data from the initial testing phase unlikely to be available until Sunday.

The EFL commissioned Nationwide Pathology to support the testing of EFL players and staff as part of the first phase of its Return To Training protocols, with initial testing for players, coaching and backroom staff in the EFL Championship taking place on Thursday and Friday.

The EFL say there will be a flexible approach to testing, with a combination of procedures conducted by independent testers, club medical staff and some self-testing as required.

The accuracy of these tests, say the EFL, is aligned with Government guidelines and, for the avoidance of any doubt, availability to clubs will not impact NHS testing resources or prevent other individuals from receiving a test as required.

The EFL will announce both the number of tests undertaken and the number of positive cases - if any - at the end of the initial testing phase but that data is not expected to be available until Sunday and the EFL will not be releasing individual club data.

The Return to Training Protocols protocols identify the relevant Policies and Procedures in respect of arrival and preparation for players and staff attending a training ground environment, training procedures, warm-down and injury prevention programmes, exiting the training ground, Personal Protective Equipment, training ground hygiene protocol and media arrangements.

The Championship season remains suspended amidst the country’s ongoing battle against coronavirus which halted United’s Championship promotion push in the second week of March.

Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites sit top of the Championship and hold a seven-point cushion in the division’s automatic promotion places with nine games left.

The EFL are still hoping to fulfil the division’s remaining fixtures by the end of July but should the season be curtailed, Leeds would be crowned champions via the EFL’s unweighted points per game model with the EFL saying promotion and relegation should be retained.

Clubs in League Two have already voted to end their season subject to ratification from the FA and the unweighted points per game model would be used to declare final standings if curtailment was approved by 51 per cent of clubs in a vote.

The EFL say that ‘health, wellbeing and safety of EFL players, managers and staff has been at the forefront of the League’s discussions, scenario planning and decision making throughout this process and we will continue to consult with medical experts to ensure this is maintained as circumstances evolve.’

United’s players have already been back at Thorp Arch training ground this week for individual running and fitness sessions.

Players have been given allotted times to arrive at Thorp Arch and then carry out the sessions with one fitness coach present on the site, while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Players arrive wearing their kit and are not permitted to enter the building.

Premier League clubs have been returning to training this week, albeit under enforced restrictions, and the top flight announced on Tuesday that six positive coronavirus results had been returned from the 748 tests carried out on players and staff.

The EFL’s Return To Training Protocol can be viewed at https://www.efl.com/covid-19.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty.

So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor

READ MORE: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/opinion/were-therewithyou-now-your-yep-needs-your-support-too-laura-collins-yep-editor-2521777