CREWE Alex players and staff have been given the all clear from their first round of Covid-19 tests.

The Alex squad completed three days of non-contact training after returning to their Reaseheath training ground, where strict safety measures such as one-way systems and temperature checks are in place.

Players and staff underwent coronavirus tests at the weekend and they have all come back negative allowing boss Dave Artell to step up his training regime.

He told the club's official web site: "The results came back on Sunday morning and everyone was clear. Nobody has got the virus and we have started small contact training and we will progress it through the week - it's business as usual as far as we are concerned.

"There is social distancing and everyone has their own ball which you have to leave and clean."

Large-scale practice games are still off limits while Crewe undergo a phased return to football ahead of the League One campaign kicking off on September 12.

All the training sessions have been risk assessed and have to meet EFL and government Covid-19 guidelines and the Crewe manager stressed: "We're not going to put anyone at risk.

"We've had all the tests and they have all come back clear. For anyone who is worried or is any doubt it gives them a good peace of mind, although it is only a snapshot of one day."

Several behind-closed-doors warm-up games have been arranged and are likely to be publicised later.