Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell has told the club’s website that all his first team squad have returned negative tests after the latest round of testing.

The players are being tested daily before entering the building for training and greater restrictions have been introduced by the EFL to minimise the spread of infection.

The club have reported just two positive tests and they relate to the club’s Academy players, who have been off for their Christmas break and are not currently training.

Artell told the club’s official website: “We have had two Academy players report to the doctor that they are positive, so they were sent for PCR tests.

“The first team will be tested every day and so far we are unscathed. Hopefully, things stay that way.

“We will do everything we can do here but obviously they have to live their lives as well and will come into contact with others. This variant is high infectious but at first team level we have just had that one case from a few weeks ago and he is back with us and is fine after his period of isolation.”