Leeds United players return to Thorp Arch for individual running and fitness sessions

The club have confirmed that a number of players are using the running track at the facility, ahead of a potential return to training sessions next week.

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.

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

A club spokesperson said: "It's all individual running, they arrive in their gear and have allocated times to go.

"It's no different to meeting one other person from another household in the park, they're essentially using it as a park for running in."

Championship clubs begin testing players for coronavirus this week as preparations are ramped up for a return to non-contact, small group training.

Leeds players are expected to undergo tests on Friday and the EFL have pencilled in Monday May 25 as a possible date for the first training sessions to be held.

Premier League clubs have been returning to training this week, albeit under COVID-19 enforced restrictions, and the top flight announced yesterday that six positive coronavirus results had been returned from the 748 tests carried out on players and staff.

It has been confirmed that one player and two staff members at Watford and Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan are among the six. The other two positive tests are at another, as yet unnamed, club.

Watford captain Troy Deeney has said he will not return to training this week, over fears for his family's health.

Yesterday it emerged that Leeds' fellow Yorkshire Championship club Hull City had written to EFL chairman Rick Parry and the other clubs to raise their 'serious concerns' over a return to play, stating a case for declaring the season null and void.

The relegation-threatened Tigers have 10 players coming to the end of their contracts this summer and vice chairman Ehab Allam made it clear he will vote against proposed contract extensions beyond June 30, which would allow teams to keep squads as they are.

The YEP understands that a small number of Championship clubs harbour some concerns over a possible resumption of fixtures behind closed doors, but according to former Whites boss and current Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk, the division's managers are all in agreement that they want to play.Championship leaders Leeds have consistently maintained throughout the coronavirus pandemic that their preference is to play the final nine games of the season, but if that is not possible, would expect to be promoted on the basis of sporting merit.