Explained: Cobblers to follow strict guidelines as they step up training in preparation for the play-offs

Cobblers players will have a strict set of guidelines to follow when they return to training ahead of the Sky Bet League Two play-offs.

Players in the Premier League are back in training this week while the Championship plan to return next Monday and it is hoped the Cobblers will follow soon afterwards as they get ready to face Cheltenham in the play-off semi-finals.

Clubs have been issued a 48-page document detailing all of the measures that they must follow when training returns, with players, at first, only being able to train in groups of five.

Players will arrive at the training ground at staggered intervals and there can be no contact between them, while all equipment must be thoroughly cleaned after each session.

Teams would ideally require around a month of training before playing competitive matches but the four sides chasing promotion through the play-offs in League Two are likely to get no more than three weeks.

"Keith and the players would ideally like between two and three weeks to prepare themselves physically but they also said they'd be ready to play tomorrow if they had to be," said chairman Kelvin Thomas.

"The players will now start to step up their individual training at home and I know Pablo (Garcia) on the fitness side of things will be implementing that with the view that, hopefully, we'll get to play again in the next six weeks."

Thomas also reiterated Curle's view that any player who feels uncomfortable about playing in the current circumstances should not hesitate in speaking to the club.

"We had a call with the players before all of this last week and at that point, they were ready to play and ready to go," added Thomas.

"Nicky (Adams) has confirmed that since and so has Keith but of course we'll respect every decision that the players make in terms of this because it's unprecedented for us and it's unprecedented for them and they're the ones who are going out to play.

"It'll be up to them and the level of risk they're comfortable with and we'll respect that as a club.

"We'll work through it, we'll talk about it and we'll all make decisions together but, as far as I know, right now, every player is raring to go and they want to represent the club and represent the fans in the best way possible."