English mull move to swap training grounds with Scots

ENGLIsH Premier League clubs are ready to propose training-ground swaps with their scottish top-flight counterparts as they prepare for a summer of ‘staycations’.

covid travel restrictions have rendered traditional, moneyspinning trips to far-flung corners of the globe off limits for the second off-season in a row.

But many managers in England remain keen to schedule away jaunts as they believe they are valuable team-building exercises.

Sportsmail understands that the race is now on to secure the most sought-after places closer to home, with two English top-flight sides set to head to st andrews, while chelsea are finalising a trip to Dublin.

crystal Palace are also among those looking at setting up a camp in scotland.

some are even considering an exchange with scottish Premiership outfits, which would see training complexes effectively swapped.

others, including Manchester

United, are set to stay at home and will only head out on the road to play in friendlies.

one club official explained: ‘There’s a race on to secure the best locations. The reality is that there are not many venues that come up to scratch and they are at a premium.

‘a lot of managers are keen to get away because they see it as a morale-builder but there are others who think it’s going to be more hassle than it’s worth and that they’ll struggle to find similar facilities elsewhere, so they’re just going to stay at home. Five-star hotels in exotic countries are not going to happen.’

English clubs are expected to lose out on tens of millions thanks to another summer without overseas journeys and the opportunity to cash in on the road. some are already plotting tours of multiple countries when allowed to do so.