Premier League returns to training: Club-by-club update

Following the unanimous vote by Premier League clubs to resume training in small groups, here's how each top-flight club is preparing for the return...

Arsenal

Arsenal were the first Premier League club to welcome back members of their first-team squad when they resumed individual training on April 27 at their London Colney training ground.

The club are yet to comment on their plans for the return of 'small group' training.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa defender Matt Targett says it 'felt a bit weird' to return to training under social distancing restrictions on Tuesday

Aston Villa shut down their training ground at the end of March and the players have subsequently been carrying out individual training programmes.

Ahmed Elmohamady revealed exclusively to Sky Sports how the players have been working hard during the lockdown. "The club have given us a training programme, I've been running and training every day, working hard," he said.

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The club are yet to comment on their plans for the return of 'small group' training.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth resumed their 'phase one' training on Thursday under strict social distancing guidelines.

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Nathan Ake, Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser were among the players who took part in the session.

Brighton

Brighton took tentative steps towards a return to training with the reopening of their Lancing training complex at the end of April.

Members of the first-team squad were allowed access to the training facilities for individual sessions. Staggered arrival slots had to be booked in advance, but players - asked to arrive and leave in training kit - were able to carry out basic training, including running, stretching and core work.

The club are yet to comment on their plans for the return of 'small group' training.

Burnley

Burnley's players were tested at their training ground on Sunday and returned to training in pods on Tuesday. The squad last trained together on March 17.

According to the club, the players will arrive independently at Burnley's Barnfield Training Centre and park "in socially distanced parking bays and working in small groups of five players for no more than 75 minutes".

Chelsea

Chelsea's first-team squad and some non-playing staff returned to their Cobham base to resume training on Tuesday, May 20. The players practised in small groups and adhered to social distancing measures.

Callum Hudson-Odoi, who was the first Premier League player confirmed to have contracted coronavirus, was among those training at Cobham on Tuesday.

Crystal Palace

The club confirmed they had returned to training on Tuesday, and used Kent Cricket's Beckenham facilities, adjacent to Palace's usual training ground, as a larger car park.

An article on the club's website read: "Across the afternoon in three allotted time slots, 25 players will arrive in full training kit.

"Upon arrival in designated parking areas, players will have their temperature taken in their cars, fill in a questionnaire on an app, and only when clear will they leave their vehicles - which are parked more than two metres from the next.

"The players' 'pre-activation' routine prior to training will be undertaken outside, as will supplementary gym work. Outfield players will train in groups of four plus one goalkeeper, maintaining social distancing at all times."

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Everton

Everton's Finch Farm training ground has been closed since March 13, but Carlo Ancelotti's squad will report back on Wednesday for small group training.

A club statement read: "It will be a very different routine for Everton's players when they report back to USM Finch Farm on Wednesday for the first time since March.

"The players and coaching staff will be attending a USM Finch Farm training facility that remains almost entirely in a state of lockdown.

"Players will arrive at the training ground already in training gear and with their own personal water bottles for use during their session. The security gates at the facility will only be opened to allow permitted players and staff on to the site and there will be no opportunity for fans to convene outside the entrance.

"Players have been given varied arrival times, ensuring they remain in small training groups of five players with three staff. Each group will undertake an induction in the car park prior to taking part in a 75-minute non-contact training session, with four pitches across the site used to maintain appropriate distancing. Players will leave promptly after the training session, will not dine on-site or have access to the changing facilities.

"All other staff on site will be wearing PPE, and USM Finch Farm will undergo a deep clean each evening.

"These stringent guidelines are in place as part of the Premier League's phase one plan for a return to training following agreement at Monday's shareholders' meeting. Fans are urged not to convene at USM Finch Farm."

Leicester City

Leicester have revealed their players reported to their training ground on an individual basis for coronavirus testing on Monday "before continuing the individual fitness work permitted under previous guidance... the club will now initiate a phased process of developing individual work into small group session".

Liverpool

Liverpool began their 'phase one' training on Wednesday having opened up their training ground for individual workouts at the start of the month.

Jurgen Klopp oversaw the session after backing the Premier League's plans to return to training earlier in the week.

Vinny O'Connor explains how Liverpool's training sessions will work as the club return back to training

Manchester City

Manchester City are yet to comment on their plans.

Manchester United

Manchester United's players returned to Carrington for small group training on Wednesday, having been tested at the Aon Training Complex on Sunday.

United captain Harry Maguire took part in the session and said it felt "so safe" to return to group training.

James Cooper has the latest from Manchester United's return to training and has an update on the future of Odion Ighalo

Newcastle

Newcastle have confirmed their players will return to small group training on Tuesday.

The players will arrive at their training base at pre-arranged times and work in groups of up to 10 players, with each group then working in units of no more than five players in separate areas of two pitches.

The club have also confirmed the players "will arrive in their training kit, parking their cars at least three spaces apart, and will head straight out to the field, with no access to the main building".

Norwich

Norwich are yet to comment on their plans.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United players returned, on an individual basis, to training at their Shirecliffe complex at the end of April to undertake testing and specific sessions.

Club officials, with guidance from medical staff, drew up revised individual programmes and monitored the progress of players from a safe distance.

The club are yet to comment on their plans for the return of 'small group' training.

Southampton

Southampton are yet to comment on their plans.

Tottenham

Roger Clarke has the latest from Tottenham's training ground as they step up preparations in Project Restart.

Tottenham resumed 'phase one' training on Wednesday, with head coach Jose Mourinho overseeing the session.

First-team players have also been able to used the pitches at Hotspur Way for individual running sessions since April 28.

Watford

Watford are yet to comment on their plans.

West Ham

West Ham say their first-team squad will "step up to small group training on Tuesday" at their Rush Green base.

In a statement responding to Monday's Premier League vote, the club added: "Many measures are already in place at West Ham United, including a health screening and temperature check tent upon arrival at Rush Green, one of a number that has seen the Club go above and beyond the Government and Premier League recommendations.

"In preparation of the protocol being agreed and ahead of small group training beginning, players and staff underwent their first of two weekly COVID-19 tests at Rush Green over the weekend."

Manager David Moyes added: "Like everyone, the players and coaching staff have understandably missed football but this is an unprecedented situation and we totally understand and respect the measures that are in place.

"A lot of work has been carried out by our excellent medical and coaching staff on routines and programmes in anticipation of a return to small group training, and we are ready to go."

Wolves

The Wolves squad will return to small group training on Tuesday.

The club's training ground had already been reopened for individual sessions and fitness training.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo together with players Ruben Neves, Leander Dendoncker, Ruben Vinagre and Joao Moutinho reported back for training on May 11 - strict social distancing measures were in place and the players were required to wash their own kit.

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