Players to be tested at least twice a week, including in 48 hours before they are due to train; managers reassured everything is being done to make sure they are not at risk

Premier League players who do not want to return to training will speak to their captains in the next 24 hours before deciding whether to go back to work next week.

After two months at home, many players want to go back to work but some think it is too soon to be thinking about playing again when thousands of people are dying every week.

Premier League captains held a meeting with the Premier League and medical experts this afternoon to talk through the protocols which will be in place to make sure training is as safe as possible. Premier League clubs could start training again next Tuesday if the proposals are backed by players and managers and approved by the government and Public Health England.

A final decision will be made at the next Premier League shareholders’ meeting on Monday, and resuming training in tightly-controlled circumstances is seen as a first step towards the season restarting in the middle of next month.