Daily Star

MASON: I’M BRISTLING TO GET BACK

- ■ by PAUL BROWN

■ (right)

MASON MOUNT admits he just can’t stay away from football and is itching to get back playing again.

The England midfielder (left) was reminded of his responsibi­lities by Chelsea after breaking lockdown rules to go for a park kickabout with West Ham’s Declan Rice in March. He was supposed to be self-isolating after teammate Callum Hudson-odoi tested positive for coronaviru­s, and the Blues were not impressed.

But the midfielder – who has grown a lockdown moustache (right) – admits he has missed playing so much that he’s been kicking a ball around his house.

Mount, 21, said: “It was important to remain active and I think most footballer­s find it difficult to stay too far away from a football. I know I’ve been kicking one around my house all the time!

“We had to ensure we stayed fit during the lockdown, ready for when we could go back to work.

“We all love playing games and representi­ng Chelsea and now we are all excited about playing again.

“It’s been a long time since we played and the two months we had away in lockdown certainly seemed like such an age.

“So it’s been great to be able to get back out training at Cobham again.”

Mount was enjoying a breakout season before the Premier League was suspended, starting 25 out of 29 top-flight games and managing six goals and five assists.

He also broke into the England squad, playing six times and scoring once.

Now he cannot wait to get started again, with Chelsea back in full contact training ahead of their clash with Aston Villa on June 21.

Mount said: “Training has been great, and the boys are looking sharp.

“There was a little rustiness to shake off but we are raring to go again.”

 ??  ?? HOMEWORK: Lovren was delighted to be back training after practising his skills in his garden during lockdown
HOMEWORK: Lovren was delighted to be back training after practising his skills in his garden during lockdown
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