Oxford United can train - all coronavirus tests negative

Swabs were taken on Friday after being brought out of furlough with the intention of restarting training tomorrow.

If anyone had tested positive they would have had to isolate for seven days and stay away from the training ground.

Also read: Coronavirus testing at Oxford United - explained

U's boss Karl Robinson told the club's website: "First of all it’s great news that we have all tested negative and that everyone is safe and well.

"The tests were done in a totally professional manner and the results came back slightly quicker than we expected so now we go to the next phase which is to start reporting back to the training ground."

Testing will continue twice a week and the players will still have to follow strict guidelines to minimise the risks.

For the moment, full sessions with the whole squad will have to wait.

Robinson said: “We are a long way off a full return though. Tomorrow will be done in small groups of five players, all respecting the guidelines and safely distanced from each other and the staff.

"They will have to wash their own kit, there won’t be any group meetings or any use of the main building, so no meals prepared for them as a group.

"But it is a start and it will be great to be together because I think everyone has missed the fantastic atmosphere around the training ground every day.

“There’s a serious point to be made as well, if I can, which is that although this is good news for us the pandemic still hasn’t gone away.

"We have told the players that now they need to be more cautious than ever before and to respect all of the safety guidelines. We hope our fans will continue to do that as well.”

It comes ahead of a decision on how the Sky Bet League One season will conclude, which should be this week.

Clubs are meeting tomorrow to hold final discussions on changing the regulations, after which divisions are set to vote on their preferred method.