English clubs are exploring ways of restricting the impact of a Covid spike, including the idea of separating players according to their vaccination status.
The issue is back under the spotlight after Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were forced to miss the club’s tour of America due to their vaccination status.
Crystal Palace are taking just 10 senior outfield players on tour to Singapore and Australia because some have not met the entry requirements.
Players’ vaccination status has become a key factor in Premier League and EFL clubs’ summer transfer business as teams look to avoid problems next season, particularly in the winter months when Covid levels are expected to rise.
And some clubs are considering ways of reducing the chance of an outbreak, with one source saying that segregation at training grounds is an option.
Sportsmail has also learned that clubs are leaning on agents to urge unvaccinated players to reconsider their stance ahead of next season.
There could also be issues for players at the World Cup this winter, with Qatar’s current entry rules stating that all unvaccinated foreign visitors must self isolate in a hotel for five days.
If the rules are not softened, players such as France midfielder Kante could be affected.
