Four more individuals from three sides have tested positive for coronavirus the English Premier League confirmed on Wednesday.

The positive tests were from the third round of testing carried out at the weekend which involved a total of 1,008 players and staff.

So far 12 people have tested positive after 2,752 tests across the league following the decision to start non-contact training last week for the first time since the Premier League was suspended on 13 March because of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Premier League clubs unanimously voted to resume contact training as they step up the bid to resume the season next month.

The decision was reached following consultation with clubs, players, managers, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), the League Managers’ Association (LMA) and the government.

Phase two of ‘Project Restart’ will see players “train as a group and engage in tackling while minimising unnecessary close contact”, the league said.

Discussions continue on plans to resume the season when “conditions allow”, it added.

Players and staff will continue to be tested twice a week for coronavirus, with the capacity increased from 50 to 60 tests available per club for the fourth round of testing.

Any players or staff to test positive must self-isolate for a period of seven days.

Plans for the third phase of Project Restart include a step towards normal training and build-up to competitive games.

Clubs will discuss further issues on Thursday including the use of neutral stadiums, how to decide the season in the event of curtailment and voting on rebates to broadcasters.