Premier League clubs will return to training on Tuesday after agreeing to allow "small group" sessions to begin. The league held a conference call for all 20 clubs on Monday where the move was given unanimous backing. As part of Project Restart, players must practise social distancing at all times, the league said, with contact training not permitted at this stage. Testing for coronavirus at top-flight clubs has taken place over the last two days, and will continue throughout the training period and the return to match action with June 12 pencilled in as a possible restart date, although the league are yet to confirm this. The league was suspended on March 13, with Leicester City's 4-0 win over Aston Villa on March 9 the last match to be played in England's top flight. The protocols were presented to players and managers on as well as their respective unions on conference calls throughout last week, with several voicing concerns over rushing football back too soon. A Premier League statement read: "Strict medical protocols of the highest standard will ensure everyone returns to training in the safest environment possible. "The health and well-being of all participants is the Premier League's priority, and the safe return to training is a step-by-step process. "Full consultation will now continue with players, managers, clubs, the PFA and LMA as protocols for full-contact training are developed." Players will be asked to use an app on a daily basis to record any symptoms. Newcastle United were one of the first top-flight clubs to issue confirmation that players had been tested at the club's training ground. The club said players would return on Tuesday, by which time all test results would be known. "It's been a really difficult time, but I hope with the news that phase one is about to start - and I must stress that phase one looks as if it's as safe as it can be - I'm sure everyone will be delighted that we're trying to make that effort," said manager Steve Bruce. "In phase one we're allowed to train four to five people on one pitch, so basically a player has a quarter of a pitch to work within, so social distancing is not a problem. We'll train with eight to 10 at a time on two separate pitches. "Everything is in place in the safety aspect. I've got no issues and I can tell the supporters the players and the staff are as safe as we possibly can be." The announcement comes on the same day that Scottish Premier League clubs voted to end their season due to the outbreak of Covid-19, <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/coronavirus-celtic-named-champions-of-scotland-after-clubs-vote-to-end-season-1.1021163">with Celtic declared champions</a>, and after Germany's Bundesliga returned to action over the weekend.
