All players should be tested for coronavirus before the football season resumes, according to the chief executive of the League Managers Association.
Richard Bevan said tests should be 'made available first to NHS workers and patients' and said he believes the game in England should only restart once those taking part have also been monitored for COVID-19.
He told the BBC: "Once that's happened, by all means let's access it in sport."
The English game was put on hiatus last month as attempts to curb the spread of the lethal virus were stepped up.
Friday saw the largest daily increase of deaths, with 980 fatalities in the last 24 hours, taking the over UK death toll to 8,958.
Bevan was critical of the English Football League (EFL) for not consulting his members before issuing an estimate that the season could be completed in 56 days once it resumes.
He has asked the EFL to consult managers from each league to discuss the potential restarting of the season, describing the initial proposed schedule as 'amazingly tight'.
He said: "You're going to have to get the support of the coaches and managers. You do not do that by not talking to them. You do not get the end-product or working together if you just send a letter out without actually taking their advice or thoughts.
"You're going to have to get the goodwill of the players because you're going to have at least three weeks of training to get back on the pitch at least.
"The most important thing guiding every principle is health, and getting back on the pitch without ensuring fully-fit players is a very big call to make. I would like to see more debate."
