Blackburn Rovers captain Elliott Bennett insists he feels fit and healthy after being confirmed as the third Championship player to have tested positive for coronavirus.
The EFL announced on Thursday that their latest round of testing has flagged three positive tests from 1,030 samples.
Fulham have confirmed that two of their players represent that group and Blackburn later revealed Bennett was the third, despite not showing any symptoms.
Bennett, who made 15 Championship appearances while on loan at Bristol City from Norwich during the 2015/16 season, must now self-isolate for 14 days, as per EFL protocols.
The 31-year-old told Blackburn’s website: “I feel fit and healthy. Hopefully this sends out a positive message to the community that perhaps many people have or have had the virus without showing any effects.
“I obviously would never have known if we hadn’t returned to training and taken the tests, because I don’t feel unwell and have got no symptoms whatsoever.
“There seems to have been a lot of hysteria about footballers returning to training, but it’s not a big deal at all. It’s the people who are seriously ill in hospital that we need to worry about, not footballers who are fit and healthy, and who aren’t showing any signs of being unwell.”
The news comes after last week's first round of testing, which saw two players from Hull City test positive.
A statement from the EFL confirmed the latest round of testing figures, with 16 more people being tested this week compared to last week.
Bristol City top stories
The statement also stressed that, whilst the accuracy of testing is not 100 per cent accurate, it is in line with government guidelines and NHS standards.
Bristol City returned to training on Monday this week having undergone their first batch of testing last Friday with the growing expectation that June 20 will be when the season recommences.
