Sheffield United's pre-season preparations hit by rise in Covid-19 cases on continental Europe

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced the move during a briefing on Thursday, meaning anyone visiting there must isolate for a fortnight after returning home.

Although Premier League footballers are tested twice a week for the respiratory disease, the measure seems to make it impossible for Chris Wilder’s squad to establish a temporary French training base - meaning coaching staff will have to consider other locations or remain in England.

Holland and Malta, where United have travelled in the past, are also subject to the new legislation but Switzerland - a popular choice for English top-flight clubs - is not. Swiss officials have also omitted the UK from their latest ‘At Risk’ database.

Foreign Office officials have warned against all but “essential travel” to France, whose Prime Minister has also expressed concerns about its infection rate.

Meanwhile, the PL has agreed to scrap plans for a winter break next term in order to ease fixture congestion after rescheduling the 2020/21 programme following the pandemic. With the previous campaign not finishing until earlier this month - and competition not due to restart until September 12 - it was agreed the idea, which was introduced before sport entered lockdown earlier this year, would be shelved for the time being.

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