Oxford United will allow their players to return to the clubs training ground to focus on their individual fitness programmes.
Despite still being on furlough leave – the government paid scheme where 80% of wages are covered – the players still need to retain their fitness ahead of a possible restart to the league.
The EFL have extended the period in which players can’t train together, adding a further nine days to the previous deadline, but following the latest government ruling allowing travel, the squad have been allowed to use the faculties.
The players will have individual slots, with half a dozen already asking. This will ensure social distancing is kept in place alongside maintaining fitness.
U’s boss Karl Robinson told the Oxford Mail: “It’s important that they keep ticking over.
“One or two live in apartments and have been struggling for suitable surfaces to run on – the last thing we need is someone rolling an ankle.
“They asked if they could come in, so we made that an option and as long as it is safe and organised properly then it just means the local lads can get some quality work done.
“They aren’t using the buildings, they are in their own kit and hopefully it won’t be too long before we can start moving up a gear and train together once more.”
A meeting will take place later today ultimately to decide how the season will be concluded. Oxford as a club, despite being favourites to go up via the weighted points per game method, have insisted they would rather play out the remaining fixtures, providing it is safe to do so.
