Mark Catlin: Coronavirus setback won't affect Portsmouth's play-off preparation against Oxford

And the Blues’ chief executive has reiterated the club’s rigorous approach towards enforcing government guidelines at their Hilsea training ground.

On Wednesday evening, Pompey reported two unnamed players had tested positive for the global pandemic.

The pair are now self-isolating for seven days and scheduled to undergo another test on Monday ahead of a potential training return.

Pompey, who also had five players diagnosed with coronavirus in March, were this week the sole League One play-off members to register positive results.

Yet Catlin is adamant procedures are in place to maintain player safety during the ramping up of training ahead of their semi-final first leg against Oxford.

He told The News: ‘This doesn’t affect our build up to the play-offs whatsoever.

‘We are having 50-plus tests done, if you include the backroom staff, and, while two positive outcomes is a disappointing number, we have to keep doing what we are doing.

‘We have the strictest guidelines to make sure coronavirus doesn’t spread within the training facility and also operate a thorough cleaning regime.

‘Back at the club offices, we are also working and adhering to social distancing, everything has been set up – but you cannot guarantee not getting coronavirus.

‘The two players concerned don’t have any symptoms and feel they haven’t interacted with anyone outside their wider family and groups.

‘However, you have to stress, as a club we can only be responsible for the players when they are with us for a very small period of time.

‘Outside of that, it’s their own lifestyles. As long as they follow the rules and guidelines, there’s nothing we can do.

‘You cannot stop people when they leave us. For example, filling up their car at the petrol station or going to the supermarket.’

In March, the five Pompey players diagnosed with coronavirus were James Bolton, Ross McCrorie, Haji Mnoga, Andy Cannon and Sean Raggett.

However, on this occasion, the club have opted not to name the latest affected by the pandemic.

Catlin added: ‘You have to respect player and club health confidentiality.

‘We have spoken to the two players and there were some reservations about going public with their names. We perfectly understand that.

‘We have said to the players that we will not name them – but if they want to go public themselves, that’s their choice.

‘Three months ago we were at the height of a disease which was taking a grip of the country. Naming the players was almost to create awareness.

‘Whereas now it’s about getting back to football, rather than having a show around it with those players named.’

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