PROJECT RESTART was boosted last night with news of just two more positive tests in the Premier League.
Out of 996 tests conducted last week, two people came back positive, from two different clubs.
In the first round of testing, six players and staff from three different clubs were found to have Covid-19, from 748 samples.
There were more tests this time because Norwich’s first set, conducted last Tuesday, were not included in the initial figures, and because the number of tests per club was increased from 40 to 50.
Another round of testing will take place on Monday and Tuesday. Representatives of the 20 top-flight clubs will vote at a meeting on Wednesday whether to move to phase two – full-contact training.
At a separate meeting on Thursday, they will discuss possible schedules for returning to competitive action, as well as issues around using home grounds and broadcasting.
Tom Cleverley warns Project Restart is in “jeopardy” if a host of players test positive for Covid-19 in the next phase.
And some Premier League bosses — including Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers — want football’s return to be put back until the end of next month.
Watford were missing SIX players due to Covid-19 — including skipper Troy Deeney, who was absent due to family health fears, and Adrian Mariappa who has tested positive for the virus — when training started this week.
Prem clubs are set to vote this week on moving on to phase two — full-contact training — and Hornets’ former England midfielder Cleverley declared: “Phase one is as safe as going to the supermarket.
“But in phase two, you could be rubbing shoulders with 15, 20 guys on the same day.
“So if we get into phase two and there’s a sudden spike in positive cases, that puts the whole thing in jeopardy.
“Let’s wait for the information and the schedule on phase two and see if the players are happy with it.”
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