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.