The Premier League has advised its clubs, including Manchester City and Manchester United, to ensure that their players are back in the country as football looks to step up a return to action.
All major competitions have been suspended since the middle of March as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions placed on the country by the government, and the sport will only return when it is safe and reasonable to do so.
However, plans are being made to resume competitive games with the aim of completing the 2019/20 campaign and causing as little disruption as possible to the next one. Arsenal, West Ham and Brighton have all re-opened their training grounds this week and it is understood that all clubs have been advised to make sure they are in a position for their players to be able to train again in the coming weeks.
The training grounds of both Manchester clubs remain closed and the squads have been allowed to spend lockdown at their preferred locations. City have more than ten first-team members currently out of the country including manager Pep Guardiola, while United players Victor Lindelof, Fred, Sergio Romero and Bruno Fernandes are also among those abroad.
Clubs have already been presented with proposals to restart the season and it is expected that there will be more detailed discussions about how to ensure everyone is in a position to play again at a Premier League meeting on Friday.
The government has come under increasing pressure this week to introduce a period of self-isolation for people entering the country, with Home Secretary Priti Patel grilled over the matter at a select committee hearing on Wednesday.
Patel indicated that the government are following scientific advice and both City and United are keen to do the same, but matches will not be delayed if teams have not ordered their players back in enough time for them to be fully fit when the league intends to resume.
