BREAKING: Cobblers return one positive result in first round of coronavirus tests

Cobblers have confirmed that first-team physiotherapist Ignacio Herrando is one of seven individuals connected to three League Two clubs to test positive for coronavirus in the latest round testing announced by the EFL this evening.

While the Championship are into their second week of training, Cobblers players and staff were all tested for the first time on Thursday ahead of their anticipated return to training next Monday, with the League Two play-offs expected to be played in late June.

Herrando, who returned to Northampton as physio in February 2018, was the only individual from the club to return a positive test and will now isolate at home for seven days before being tested again, though currently he is not feeling any symptons. No other player or staff member tested positive and training will start on Monday as planned.

A club statement confirmed: "Following the EFL announcement and the testing for COVID-19 completed by Northampton Town players and staff on Thursday, the club can confirm that one member of staff tested positive, physiotherapist Ignacio Herrando.

"Ignacio, who is asymptomatic and feeling no ill effects, is now self-isolating at home for seven days after which time he will be re-tested. In the meantime, academy physiotherapist Michael Bolger, who tested negative on Thursday, will cover his duties.

"The rest of the players and staff, who all tested negative, will report to the PTS Academy Stadium on Monday to train in accordance with the EFL’s return to training protocol."

In their own statement, the EFL revealed that of 135 players and staff to be tested from the four play-off contending clubs in League Two, seven individuals from three different clubs tested positive.

"Those players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate in line with the guidelines provided by the EFL and only those who have tested negative will be permitted to enter training ground facilities," read the EFL statement.

As for the Championship, the EFL revealed: "Following the latest round of COVID-19 testing, the EFL can confirm that 1058 players and club staff from the 24 Championship clubs were tested over the course of Thursday 28 May and Friday 29 May, with 10 individuals testing positive from eight clubs.

"Those players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate in line with the guidelines provided by the EFL and only those who have tested negative will be permitted to enter training ground facilities."

There is currently no testing programme underway in League One.