NEW government guidelines have boosted Oxford United’s chances of going to Spain next month.

The U’s will make a late decision on whether to go ahead with their pre-season trip at the start of July, due to ongoing restrictions on international travel.

Spain remains on the government’s ‘amber’ list of countries, which means people must quarantine for ten days and take two coronavirus tests after visiting these locations.

But English Football League (EFL) clubs qualify as elite sports teams and face different measures to allow them to carry out their work.

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United can travel to Spain if they fulfil at least one fixture that follows Covid protocols, with friendlies against Sky Bet League One counterparts Plymouth Argyle and the Gibraltar national team in the pipeline.

Players and staff would still have to isolate when they return to England, either for ten days or taking a ‘Test to Release’ test after five days, where a negative swab allows you to end quarantine.

They could play a friendly against another team who are following the same protocols during the ten-day period.

Karl Robinson previously revealed another pre-season plan is ready to go, but the U's head coach still favours travelling to Spain.

He told BBC Oxford: “When we return we have to isolate within our homes, but partners don’t have to isolate with you.

“We can still train as a bubble, which we didn’t know - I don’t imagine too many of my players want to go shopping or partying in pre-season.

“That changes the parameters a little bit, where if we feel it’s still safe enough to go we’ll still train abroad.

“It’s more cost-effective as staying in England is becoming ridiculously expensive, thousands upon thousands of pounds to stay in sub-standard places to train.

“There are certain places on the west coast of Scotland where they’re charging through the roof.”

United are due to return for pre-season at the end of this month.