Oxford United’s players and staff have passed the first stage of coronavirus testing. All of the results came back as negative.
The U’s were reportedly the first team in League One to begin testing for the virus and can now begin training in small groups from tomorrow.
Oxford United Players and Staff Pass First Round of Coronavirus Testing
Players Can Resume Training Next Week
Swabs were taken on Friday at the training ground, where the players trained individually after they had been taken off furlough leave by the club.
If any player or member of staff had contracted the virus, that said individual would have had to self-isolate for seven days away from the training ground.
The U’s are back in training with the hope of seeing out the remainder of the season. Although, given the delay as a result of the failure to come to a decision by the EFL, playing out all remaining fixtures seems highly unlikely. But, Oxford would finish in the playoffs as a result of points-per-game (PPG).
Clubs are meeting tomorrow to hold final discussions on changing the regulations. After which, divisions are set to vote on their preferred method as to how to complete the season.
Karl Robinson Relieved
U’s boss Karl Robinson told the Oxford Mail: “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.”
For the U’s, returning to training is a major boost as they look to prepare for the playoffs. Robinson’s side sit third in League One, just two points off an automatic promotion spot. The U’s had won five games in succession before the pandemic halted play.
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