Precautions in place as Toon players return to full training
PREPARATIONS STEPPED UP FOR SEASON’S RESUMPTION
NEWCASTLE United have been given the green light to return to full contact training after clubs voted unanimously to move to phase two of Project Restart.
The move is another step closer towards Premier League action returning and follows in the footsteps of the Bundesliga, with three rounds of matches now completed in Germany – albeit behind closed doors.
United said in a statement: “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 wellbeing of all participants.
“Strict medical protocols are in place to ensure the training ground is the safest environment possible and players and staff will continue to be tested for Covid-19 twice a week.
“Stage two of the return-to-training protocol has been agreed following consultation with clubs, players, managers, the PFA, LMA and the Government.
“Discussions are ongoing as work continues towards resuming the season, when conditions allow.”
United’s club doctor Paul Catterson told the Chronicle last week backroom staff had already started preparations for phase two and would be in a position to proceed once they were given the nod.
A raft of issues including a restart date and possible curtailment will be discussed when Premier League clubs gather again today.
A return to contact training is expected to start as soon as today for those clubs which have already completed the necessary risk assessments.
There is a huge amount of ground to cover in today’s meeting, with the possibility clubs may settle on a restart date. June 12 had initially been reported but managers and players have pushed for an extra week’s preparation time.
Further talks will also take place on curtailing the campaign.
Clubs will need to settle on a model to be used in the event of a setback which prevents the 2019-20 season being finished in a reasonable time frame, with reports the Premier League clubs are keen on kickung off the new season in September.
Where the matches will be played will also be looked at.
Squads can train as a group and engage in tackling while minimising unnecessary close contact
NUFC statement
On May 1 clubs were understood to have been told using eight to 10 neutral venues was the only way the season could be safely completed.
However, it is understood home and away games are still possible, along with the neutral venue option.
There is also the chance clubs will use a ‘hybrid’ model where some games are played in their own stadiums but matches considered high-risk are moved on police advice.
There will be conversations too around broadcasting issues. These include the scheduling of the fixture list, the possibility of staggered kick-off times and over how certain matches of the 92 remaining could be made available to free-to-air television. That followed positive feedback on the plans from players and managers at a meeting on Tuesday.
The protocols have not been published yet but the Premier
League’s plans were based on Government guidelines published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on Monday.
The contact training protocols from DCMS recommend contact being gradually built up, first among clusters of two to three players, increasing to groups of four to 12 before ultimately a return to full team training.
It also recommends meticulous record-keeping of any close contact – defined as anything which occurs within the two-metre social distancing boundary - so that in the event of a positive test contacts can easily be traced.
Testing will continue on a twiceweekly basis.