Sheffield United could be urged to invest in Covid-19 testing kits

A number of top-flight sides have reportedly already begun investing in the equipment, which revealed whether or not is Covid-19 positive, after making a partial return to training.

The devices, costing £36,000, are readily available but not in high demand among NHS staff because they can only analyse one person’s readings every two-and-a-half hours.

Requiring all of the country’s leading teams to buy at least one was among the proposals discussed at a meeting of PL members yesterday.

United announced earlier this week that they have partially reopened the doors of their Steelphalt Academy training complex after taking guidance from national health chiefs and Bramall Lane’s own in-house medical team.

Only a small number of staff are allowed to be on site at any one time, with those players completing individual testing and fitness programmes are prohibited from entering the main buildings.

United were seventh in the table with 10 matches of their campaign remaining when the fixture calendar was suspended two months ago. They were also preparing for an FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal, when it emerged the Londoners' head coach Mikel Arteta had contracted the respiratory disease.

Given the financial implications of abandoning the season, many within the game hope the Government will allow football to return - albeit behind closed doors - next month if the situation allows.

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