Three individuals from two Championship clubs - identified as Fulham and Blackburn Rovers - have tested positive in the English Football League’s latest round of testing for coronavirus.
Nottingham Forest and their second tier rivals returned to non-contact training this week, amid hopes the league can restart next month.
Games have been suspended since March due to the pandemic, with nine rounds of fixtures remaining.
In a statement, the EFL said: “Following the latest round of COVID-19 testing, the EFL can confirm that 1030 players and club staff have been tested over the course of Monday 25, Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 May, with three individuals testing positive from two clubs.
“Those players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate in line with the guidelines provided by the EFL and only those who have tested negative will be permitted to enter training ground facilities.
“The EFL will continue to make regular and relevant announcements as appropriate in respect of the testing programme to support competition integrity and transparency.
“No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League.”
Fulham have announced two of their players are among the three individuals.
The Cottagers said: "After the second round of league-wide testing for COVID-19 completed by Fulham FC players and staff this week at the club’s training facility, we can confirm that two players have tested positive for Coronavirus.
"Both players, who shall remain unnamed due to medical confidentiality, are now self-isolating in line with league and government guidance."
Blackburn said: "Rovers can confirm that captain Elliott Bennett has tested positive for COVID-19 following the latest round of EFL tests.
"Having initially submitted a negative test last Friday (May 22nd), Bennett took a second test on Monday (May 25th), which has now provided a positive result.
"The 31-year-old, who is asymptomatic and feeling no ill effects, will now self-isolate at home for the next seven days and provided he develops no symptoms, he will, in line with medical protocols, return to training with his Rovers team-mates on Friday June 5th."
It comes after two individuals from one club tested positive for Covid-19 in the first round of testing, announced on Sunday, with Hull City confirming they were the club in question.
