Players Could Return To Training This Weekend Following PCR Tests On Thursday

Iñaki Williams and others could be cleared to join the team this weekend (AC)

Gaizka Garitano’s preseason plans changed when six players tested positive for COVID-19 during the initial screening over two weeks ago. As a result, all six have been isolating at home with hopes of being cleared to join the rest of the squad in training as soon as possible.

The earliest they would have been able to start training was Wednesday. All six needed to pass two tests spaced 72 hours apart to be cleared to train. The first test was conducted on Friday and the second on Monday, but the results weren’t in their favor.

According to the protocols the players would continue to be tested every three days until they passed two consecutive tests. Thankfully, there’s finally some good news and hope that they will all be back at Lezama in the coming days.

“Today they took another test,” revealed manager Gaizka Garitano during Thursday’s press conference. “If they have a negative result they can be incorporated. We hope to have them shortly.”

If passing Thursday’s test means the players would be cleared to start training it also means that they already passed the previous test on Monday. Another negative result would then clear the six to join the team, possibly as early as Friday’s session at Lezama.

Even if the players are cleared after Thursday’s test they won’t be available for Saturday’s friendly against Logroñés. Garitano will be without a total of 11 first team players as youth players will have a great opportunity to impress the Mister. Still, the possibility of getting back all six players in the coming days is great news for Athletic with La Liga set to kick off in just three weeks.

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