NEWPORT County AFC will not return to action until May at the earliest after the suspension of professional football in England due to the coronavirus pandemic was extended until April 30.
A statement from the Premier League, EFL and the Football Association, along with the women's professional game, the Professional Footballers' Association and the League Managers' Association, confirmed the extension.
The statement reads: “The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA understand we are in unprecedented times and our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.
“We are united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.
“We have collectively supported UEFA in postponing Euro 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition.
“The FA’s rules and regulations state that the season shall terminate not later than the June 1 and each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season.
“However, The FA’s Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019-2020 season in relation to professional football.
“Additionally, we have collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than April 30.
“The progress of COVID-19 remains unclear and we can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority.
“We will continue to follow government advice and work collaboratively to keep the situation under review and explore all options available to find ways of resuming the season when the conditions allow.
“We would all like to re-emphasise that our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.”
The League Two season was due to end on April 25 but will now be extended into the summer months.
County have 10 games left to play but players have been told to stay away from training this week due.
The club is following the advice of club doctor Daniel Vaughan and each member of the squad has been given a personal training plan.
Only the injured players – goalkeeper Nick Townsend and defenders Mark O’Brien, Ashley Baker and Dan Leadbitter – have been at the club’s Spytty Park training base this week as they receive treatment and continue their rehabilitation programmes.
The Argus understands that none of the Exiles players have shown any symptoms of Covid-19 but one member of the squad is recovering from chickenpox, which has affected him for the past few weeks.
With no action in the foreseeable future, the Exiles have begun to reach out to fans.
A club statement reads: “As a community-owned club facing unprecedented times we are keen to support our wonderful fans as much as we can in such a difficult environment.
“We have been working on a number of initiatives within the club and partners to ensure we support the wellbeing and health of our supporters.
“We have this week started reaching out to fans we are aware of that need that little bit of extra support.
“This has been in the form of making contact and checking everyone is OK.
“We are all part of the Newport County AFC family so if you know someone that needs some support, even if it is just a call let us know and we will drop them a line and make contact.”
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