City back training after no new Covid cases reported

MANCHESTER City’s players have resumed training after no new positive cases of Covid-19 were reported following a round of testing on Tuesday.

City retested their first-team squad and staff after Monday’s Premier League fixture at Everton was postponed due to previous positive tests for coronavirus.

City announced two players - Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker - as well as two members of staff had tested positive on Christmas Day. Three further positive tests were reported on Monday ahead of the scheduled game at Goodison Park.

More tests will take place later in the week, the results of which will determine whether Sunday’s trip to Chelsea and next Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final at Manchester United can go ahead.

In the meantime the club’s training complex, the City Football Academy, will reopen after being closed for deep cleaning.

A statement from the club yesterday read: “Manchester City FC can confirm that first-team training will resume at City Football Academy this afternoon.

“The full Covid-19 bubble underwent testing yesterday, and results have so far revealed no new positive cases.

“Safety remains our number one priority, and the club will continue to proceed with great caution. The first-team training buildings have undergone a deep clean over the past 48 hours, and the majority of these facilities will remain closed, with only essential operations around training resuming.

“The bubble will undergo further testing in the coming days, the results of which will inform and dictate the next steps.”

City’s game at Everton was the second Premier League fixture to be called off due to coronavirus after Newcastle’s clash with Aston Villa earlier this month. It was followed by yesterday’s encounter between Tottenham and Fulham.