THE Premier League has announced just six stars from three clubs from have tested positive for coronavirus after undergoing 748 tests.
Top-flight bosses had pencilled in a return date of Friday June 12 for the first match back from the lockdown.
Manchester United star David De Gea was spotted at Carrington on TuesdayCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
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A statement from the top-flight read: “The Premier League can today confirm that on Sunday 17 May and Monday 18 May, 748 players and club staff were tested for Covid-19.
“Of these, six have tested positive from three clubs.
“Players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate for a period of seven days.
“The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.
“No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and the results will be made public in this way after each round of testing.”
A number of Premier League players, including Sergio Aguero and Troy Deeney, have claimed they are fearful of a return to action in recent weeks.
Football bosses have introduced strict rules, including the requirement for balls, corner flags and other equipment to be disinfected after every session.
But players are already back at their clubs’ respective training bases, working individually, for the time being.
The initial plan moving forward is for team-mates to be allowed to return in groups of five but in a non-contact environment – what is being called “phase one” of the return.
Phase two will allow contact between players, while phase three will see a return of competitive games – but there have been no official dates for those introductions, yet.
Tottenham are expected to play Manchester United in the first game back on TV on Friday June 12.
And it’s now thought games will NOT be played at neutral stadiums after police gave the green light for games to go ahead at their normal grounds.
Earlier on Tuesday, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher had admitted his fears over the testing – saying he couldn’t see any world where at least one star didn’t register a positive results.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta returned to the training ground on TuesdayCredit: EPA
Chelsea star Mason Mount grinned as he cruised into Cobham training groundCredit: Reuters
Tottenham star Dele Alli rocked up his flash Rolls RoyceCredit: AFP or licensors
Carra claimed: “I’ll be absolutely amazed if no one tests positive for Covid-19 up and down this country. I fully expect that to happen.
“I think the results come out this afternoon and it is something we should not get massively hysterical about if it does happen.
“I think it will happen and that player then has to isolate. But that’s bound to happen.
“It’s happened in other countries and it will happen in the Premier League.”
Liverpool star Alisson Becker looked happy to be back at the training groundCredit: EPA
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
