Championship clubs returned to training this week – but struggling Charlton Athletic did so without three first-team players.

Non-contact training was able to resume on Monday, and that is expected to be extended to full contact from next week.

It comes as clubs continue to test their players for COVID-19 twice weekly as part of the EFL guidelines ahead of a resumption of the season next month.

The majority of second-tier clubs have expressed their desire to play on, with Hull City the only side to publicly object.

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer was vociferous in his criticism of the points-per-game method that has been put forward as the formula to deciding finishing places should the season be curtailed.

That would see the Addicks relegated, despite spending all but one week of the season outside of the bottom three.

But Bowyer’s side look set to be given the opportunity claw themselves out of trouble when the 2019/20 season resumes, but as things stand, they could be forced to do so without three first-team players.

Rovers have had no such issues, with all the senior squad reporting for duty, but Bowyer doesn’t think his side will be alone.

He explained: “I met the players on Saturday before we did our first test and I asked them all individually and said ‘it’s your choice, do you want to come back and play the remainder of the season?’

“Every single player I asked, there was no pressure, and all but three have said ‘yeah’.

“That’s a good number for me, there’s no pressure, everyone has different circumstances.

“Of course I would rather everybody come back because the more players the bigger the squad you’ve got and the more chance you’ve got of winning games.

“That isn’t the case and we’ll have to adapt. I’m sure there are other players and other clubs who’ve also said no.

“It’s everyone as an individual.”

A number of Premier League players have also raised concerns about returning to training as the country continues to battle against the coronavirus pandemic, and when League One and League Two are set to be curtailed.

Bowyer, in an interview with the BBC, said he wasn’t aware of how player contracts would be affected by refusing to return to training, but he was instead focusing on preparing his squad the best he could for the remaining nine games.

He added: “I don’t know the answer to that. That’s something we’ll have to look in to.

“But all I’m focusing on now is getting the group of players who have said yes  ready for the first game.

“Whatever happens with contracts behind the scenes, that’s not for me to decide, that’s down to the football club.”