Rovers players must be tested for coronavirus 48 hours before any potential return to training.

This week the EFL pushed back its proposed start date by nine days to May 25 with a three-week training period likely before any possible return to action is considered.

The season has been suspended since March 13 and Rovers’ Senior Training Centre at Brockhall has remained closed.

However, provisions ahead of a return have been drawn up by the club, which would include players training in groups of no more than five, and no overlapping period between sessions.

Members of the squad must receive a negative test, and have their temperature checked, before being allowed access to the training ground, though the indoor facilities will remain closed.

Players and staff will continue to be tested twice a week and only when deemed appropriate, through the number of negatives tests, will an increase in numbers be considered.

However, the club has stressed it will continue to observe social distancing guidelines at all times.

Players have been told to travel alone to the training ground, wearing their training kit, before driving home at the end of their session.

Medical staff and physios will be required to wear personal protective equipment as part of the risk management assessment that the club have drawn up.

After the proposed return date of May 16 was outlined to clubs on April 9, the Rovers players were told to “down tools” by manager Tony Mowbray, and given a three-week off season which ended last week.

Since then the players have continued to work to individual training programmes and they will continue to do so for the next 10 days, while any team meetings must be conducted online.

Rovers will also consider the possibility of using their Academy training base at Brockhall, which is separate to the senior site, should that be appropriate.

The 40-page ‘Return to Training Protocols’ has been circulated to all clubs, with representatives of all 24 Championship clubs attending Wednesday’s meeting.

The majority of second-tier clubs remain keen on finishing the season, which when suspended had nine games remaining, though their next move could well be governed by the decision of the Premier League.

EFL chief Rick Parry last month estimated it would take 56 days to complete the season, including play-offs, and has also declared the season must end by July 31 because of issues with player contracts, leaving little wriggle room should the training restart date be pushed back again.

A statement read: “The EFL is mindful of the pressing need for clarity in a number of areas, including the practicalities and timeframes of clubs being able to facilitate a return to training.

“To address this, clubs have been issued with the latest draft of the EFL’s ‘Return to Training Protocols’, so that they can prepare appropriately.

“However, until all outstanding matters are concluded, including finalising a comprehensive testing programme on matchdays and non-matchdays, the EFL board has informed its clubs that a return to training should not take place until 25 May at the earliest.”

The EFL says it will continue to work with the relevant parties to come through the crisis. The statement added: “Current attention is clearly on the immediate next steps, but the long-term impact on the league and its clubs remains as stark as previously outlined, and solutions are still required to fill the financial hole left by the crisis.”