Clubs agree to resume contact training
LONDON: Premier League clubs yesterday voted unanimously to return to contact training, including tackling, as the English top flight moved a step closer to a resumption after the shutdown caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
A statement, following a meeting of all 20 clubs, said: “Squads are now able to train as a group and engage in tackling while minimising any unnecessary close contact.
“The Premier League’s priority is the health and well-being of all participants.”
Clubs last week began the first phase of ‘Project Restart’ after agreeing to a return to training in small groups under strict limitations and no contact.
The announcement that Phase Two can commence follows extensive testing of players and staff for coronavirus — with eight positives, including Watford defender Adrian Mariappa and Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan.
No matches have been played in the Premier League since March when the coronavirus pandemic shut down world sport.
However, yesterday’s vote is a big step towards the Premier League completing the 92 remaining fixtures.
Phase Two allows up to 10 players to work together and would ease the time restrictions on training sessions and allow players to be closer.
The third phase would be a move to a more typical form of training in the build-up to actual games.
SOLSKJAER COUNTING ON DUO Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Tuesday he is confident of having Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford fit should the Premier League season restart next month.
Pogba has missed the majority of the campaign with an ongoing ankle injury, while Rashford seemed set to miss the rest of the season when he suffered a double stress fracture in his back in January.
United returned to training in small groups last week and preparations were expected to be ramped up further for a return to action.
“They [Pogba and Rashford] are looking good, they’ve joined training now and they’ve done everything the other boys have been doing. No reaction so far, touch wood,” said Solskjaer.
“When we get started, it looks like we can have a full squad to choose from.”