NEWCASTLE UNITED will join other Premier League clubs in resuming training in small groups from tomorrow.

As part of the competition’s Project Restart, plans have today been approved as part of the first stage of returning to action.

Players must practise social distancing at all times, the league said, with contact training not permitted at this stage.

Testing for coronavirus at top-flight clubs has taken place over the last two days, and will continue throughout the training period and the return to match action in a bid to make the environment as safe as possible for all concerned.

The league was suspended on March 13 but no date for a resumption has yet been fixed.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce said: "It's been a really difficult time, but I hope with the news that phase one is about to start - and I must stress that phase one looks as if it's as safe as it can be - I'm sure everyone will be delighted that we're trying to make that effort.

"In phase one we're allowed to train four to five people on one pitch, so basically a player has a quarter of a pitch to work within, so social distancing is not a problem. We'll train with 8-10 at a time on two separate pitches.

"Everything is in place in the safety aspect. I've got no issues and I can tell the supporters the players and the staff are as safe as we possibly can be. We all understand that this virus isn't going to go away just like that - it's going to hang around a bit, but I think with the protocols in place we'll do everything we possibly can to get up and running again."

A club statement reads: “Newcastle United kindly asks supporters and media not to travel to the training ground perimeter during this time and to continue adhering to the latest government guidance at gov.uk/coronavirus.

“Players, coaches and essential support staff have now been tested for COVID-19 at the training ground in conjunction with the Premier League by global genomics health business Prenetics.

“On Tuesday - by which time all test results will be known - players and staff will arrive at pre- arranged times staggered in groups of a maximum of ten players, with each working in groups of no more than five in separate areas of two pitches to allow for social distancing measures at all times.

“Players will arrive in their training kit, parking their cars at least three spaces apart, and will head straight out to the field, with no access to the main building. They will then leave immediately after training. All equipment - including balls, corner flags, cones, goalposts, GPS units, boots and gloves - will be regularly disinfected and players will wear protective snoods on their faces at all times.

“The players and staff will also be using an innovative app, developed by world leading bio-analytics company Orecco in association with Newcastle United, to record any potential symptoms. Players and staff will update the app each day and access to the training ground will only be permitted if players are deemed to be showing no symptoms.’’