Clubs need financial help to carry out more Covid-19 tests

Russell Martin has echoed the opinion of Ipswich boss Paul Lambert in appealing for financial aid from the EFL should more regular Covid-19 testing be required.

Weekly testing was a part of the protocol when teams first returned to training in summer but currently, clubs test players who show symptoms along with the rest of those in their bubble.

With the new tier system and a faster-spreading variant of the virus, changes to the testing programme at football clubs has not yet been impacted, prompting Lambert to say the EFL were 'putting lives at risk' by not insisting on more regular testing after he contracted Covid.

Dons boss Martin said the club are following the current guidelines and have not had a positive test in their squad as yet, but felt if more regular testing were to be mandated, the EFL would have to step in to help clubs pay for it.

"We're doing what's asked of us by the EFL," he said. "If someone shows a symptom, they get tested straight away, along with the people in their bubble.

"Testing costs a lot of money, so we would need to get help with that. Player's welfare and well-being is paramount, we're keeping them as safe as we possible can. But if we're going to test regularly, we will need help with that from the authorities financially. If anyone shows any sign – a headache, a cough – they get tested straight away, and they have to isolate until that test comes back.

"But if they say we have to go back to testing once a week again, then we'll do that."