Hawks set to return to training after first round of covid-19 testing this week – but it’ll be totally different to what they’re used to

The players and staff will be tested at Westleigh Park on Thursday, with the results known the following day.

The squad will then begin a week of non-contact training on Saturday, July 4 - leaving them three weeks before a home National League South play-off semi-final against Slough or Dartford.

Everyone will again be tested every Thursday - potentially meaning tests on July 9, 16, 23 and 30.

The squad will train on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only for around an hour and 15 minutes each day. Players will be encouraged to wear a mask or snood, and for the first week there will be no access to the changing rooms.

If anyone tests positive, they will be told to stay away from the ground for a week and self-isolate under the government’s ‘return to elite sport’ player protocols.

Even if someone tests negative but have covid-19 symptoms, they will be told to stay away for seven days.

For the first week, two groups of five players will each work with a coach - one group to each half of the stadium pitch.

When those ten players have finished and gone home, another ten will arrive and again train in two groups of five.

During the two weeks of contact training prior to the semi-final, Hawks will look to play at least one friendly. This is unlikely to be against Pompey, but potential opponents could include National League clubs also preparing for play-off games such as Yeovil or Boreham Wood.

Hawks have given the National League a list of the players they will be testing. This includes nine players who are currently out of contract, but who have all told the club they want to take part in the play-offs.

Hawks director Trevor Brock said: ‘Logic says that the players who were available on March 16 should be available for the last game of the season.

‘That is how the contracts normally work at our level - the contracts run out at the end of April or when the club plays its last first team game of that season.’

Millwall defender Junior Tiensia was on loan when 2019/20 was halted in mid-March. Hawks can recall him for the play-offs if they want.

Clubs in the play-offs CAN sign a new goalkeeper, but only if he was last registered in a league at the same step - 2 in Hawks’ case - or below. If at the same step, the keeper may only be registered if he was not a first-choice or if he is under 21.

The National League shall determine ‘first-choice’ at its absolute discretion.

Clubs can also sign players who are free agents, provided they were last registered in a league at the same step or below AND the club commits to register the player for the 2020/21 season. If at the same step, the player may only be registered if he is under 21.

Hawks, thanks to the efforts of medical officer and vice chairman Tim Mellor - who works at QA Hospital - have sent the National League details of their testing regime and how they aim to ensure Westleigh Park is a covid-safe environment.

The latter includes new one-way routes being implemented, and all players and staff having their temperatures taken every time they arrive at the ground. They will also have to complete a symptom checklist questionnaire every time.

Club officials will be on duty to ensure the players and staff don’t park too closely to each other when they turn up in their cars. They have been told to avoid public transport ‘unless absolutely necessary’ and to use gloves when visiting a petrol station to buy fuel.

All players and staff will be asked to use the hand sanitiser on entering the ground, and again on entering the pitch.

The players will have to arrive ready to train, no food and drink will be made available, and there won’t be any showers.

They will have to follow a specific route onto the pitch, and another route off it.

‘We have been ultra cautious,’ said Brock. ‘We have tried to ensure we have covered absolutely everything.

‘So far, the National League have only asked for our protocols about returning to training, they haven’t asked for our matchday protocol yet.

‘But I have a copy of Pompey’s matchday protocol and we will be speaking to the club after their semi-final (against Oxford United this coming Friday) to see what lessons they have learned.

‘I will be very interested to see how they cope with trying to keep people away from outside the ground.’

Brock, meanwhile, said clubs have not heard anything regarding BT Sport potentially screening the play-offs.

If they don’t, Hawks will try and live stream the game(s) themselves to ensure their supporters don’t miss out.