Cobblers players back at the PTS for testing ahead of return to training

Cobblers players and staff are back at the PTS Academy Stadium today (Thursday) for the first time in nearly three months as their preparations for the play-offs move to the next stage.

With training set to restart next week, all players and staff will report into the ground today to be both swab and blood tested for coronavirus, with results expected in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Those who test positive and do have symptoms will have to 'isolate for seven days' and would then face no further antigen testing, while those who are negative but do have symptoms should 'isolate for seven days, then retest'.

Manager Keith Curle was one of the first people through the door to be tested. "I was in at half 8 and I've already been tested," he said. "It's excellent just to be back inside the ground. The pitch is looking fantastic and just being back in this environment gives you a spring in your step.

"The results will come into the club doctor and she'll notify myself and James (Whiting) and then speak to the players because obviously it's their results.

"We're on phase one and that's about everybody coming into the ground and getting individually blood tested and swab tested, seeing the club doctor, picking up your training kit and personal belongings and then going.

"So at the moment it's just about returning to the environment before we get the results back within 24 hours and then we'll return to training on Monday, albeit in small groups at first."