Eight Championship clubs recorded positive tests in the latest round of EFL testing – the highest number yet.

The news comes as clubs completed their first week of training since the season was suspended in March, and in the same week as the EFL revealed a possible re-start date of June 20.

The EFL revealed 10 individuals from eight unnamed clubs had tested positive, with Rovers not responding when asked by the Lancashire Telegraph if they had returned any positive results.

Cardiff, Middlesbrough, Fulham and Preston all confirmed one case each, with the Cottagers having previously had two positive cases.

Those came at the same time as Rovers captain Elliott Bennett tested positive, with the 31-year-old now self-isolating and unable to return to training until Friday. Bennett was asymptomatic and had put in his best ever fitness results in Rovers colours earlier that day. And boss Tony Mowbray said: “Elliott getting a positive test shook a few of the players up.”

In all, there were 10 positive tests among the 1,058 people tested, up from three in round two and two in the initial testing stage.

That is up from the three that tested positive in the second round of tests, which included two Fulham players as well as Rovers captain Elliott Bennett.

There were also seven positive tests out of the 158 returned by League Two clubs, with four having returned to training this week as they prepare for the likelihood of a play-off campaign.

League One clubs are yet to be tested, as the uncertainty over their league continues.

It comes after the Premier League earlier announced no positive tests.

An EFL statement said: “Following the latest round of COVID-19 testing, the EFL can confirm that 1,058 players and club staff from the 24 Championship clubs were tested over the course of Thursday May 28 and Friday May 29, with 10 individuals testing positive from eight clubs.

“Those players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate in line with the guidelines provided by the EFL and only those who have tested negative will be permitted to enter training ground facilities.

“There is currently no testing programme underway in League One.

“Following an initial round of COVID-19 testing, the EFL can confirm that 135 players and club staff were tested from four League Two clubs over the course of Thursday May 28 and Friday May 29, with seven individuals testing positive from three clubs.

“Those players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate in line with the guidelines provided by the EFL and only those who have tested negative will be permitted to enter training ground facilities.”