McPake: Injury lay-offs don’t compare to virus shutdown

“I know you are not having to do your rehab and the players are all still in good physical shape but, in terms of the timescale, it is similar to being out with a major injury.

“It is tough for the players to come back and hit the ground running. That is impossible when you have been out for that long.

“They can do as much work as they want away from the club but nothing compares to being out on the pitch and doing your team work.

“That is a different level of fitness and they will come back having five or six months without that.

“That is why we have to be mindful when we return.”

Although they have a lengthy wait ahead of them, McPake says he is just happy his promotionchasing side just have a date to aim for.

He added: “I am delighted we have got a date to build towards.

“I am not delighted it is October because, in a normal season, I’d love to be back but I understand why with the crisis around the world.

“The big thing is we now have a date and we can plan ahead.

“We can get our players ready for that date because before that we were all guessing.”

However, as for a return to training, there is nothing concrete on the horizon for the Dark Blues yet.

“We haven’t decided yet,” McPake admitted.

“We are still going through pre-season plans that are different to normal times.

“We are talking to experts in that field, taking advice and we will also watch what the Premiership do as well, how they come back and the shape their players return in.

“I know it is a different pre-season because they have had longer off.

“That brings risk. Injury is a big risk.

“My team was fit last year and that is one area where I would stand up and defend my team. We were fit because of the pre-season and our work throughout the season.”

James McPake suffered his fair share of injuries.