Atletico Madrid players could return to training on Friday as Spain continues to ease its coronavirus lockdown measures, according to Spanish media reports.
Last week, Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, outlined a four-phase plan to lead the country out of quarantine. Among the plans for the first phase, he said: "Professional sportspeople will be able to train individually from May 4."
In the following phase, which could begin as early as May 11, training in small groups will be allowed.
In light of these developments, a report from Spanish newspaper Marca claims that Atletico players are expected to return to the club's training complex for individual training routines from Friday.
It is understood that the players will be tested for the coronavirus on Wednesday and once the results come back - expected to take 1-2 days - they will then be permitted to train.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone will reportedly return with his players on Friday, although Marca claims much of his backroom staff will stay away to keep a limit on personnel at the complex.
All football in Spain has been halted since March and many La Liga clubs have introduced pay cuts and wage deferrals on playing staff and high-earning employees to help ease the financial strain of the suspension.
First-team players at clubs like Barcelona, Espanyol, and Atletico have also taken additional pay cuts to protect the jobs and incomes of their clubs' lower-income staff.
Spain has been one of the countries hardest-hit by the coronavirus, recording more than 247,000 total cases and over 25,000 deaths, while more than 148,000 people have made full recoveries, according to the latest figures.
