Returning to little closer to

COACH IS BACKING CALLS FOR USE OF FIVE SUBS

STEVE Bruce will be in full support of the Premier League if clubs are permitted to use five substitutes in matches in Project Restart.

The former Manchester United skipper has watched on as the Bundesliga got back under way and used the option of more changes thanks to FIFA’s relaxed rulebook.

Bruce and his players are now counting down to a clash with Sheffield United in mid-June.

The United head coach said: “The players came back physically in good condition.

“We gave them a programme and it is not as if they have had a break as such because we have been asking them to get on with things and get it back up and running. In that respect it is fine.

“I still say when we have six weeks off in the summer, which not many players have these days due to international tournaments, you have six weeks in pre-season and then six games to try to get them ready for the first game so we know these are unprecedented times.

“I still think that we need two or three weeks of contact football and making sure we are ready.

“If you look at the Bundesliga, in the first weekend there were eight muscle injuries in six games.

“I am sure that is down to them having six weeks of preparation, I think that will be key to it.

“What they did have is the five substitutes and that is something which will certainly help us as well, but on a personal level the players have come back in good condition.”

Top-flight players across the country are working to rebuild their fitness, having not played a competitive game for almost three months.

The Premier League season was originally due to end on May 17 before the coronavirus pandemic brought the sporting world – and the wider one – to a halt.

It means players will also have to get used to playing in the heat of summer.

Thursday saw Newcastle return to training as a full squad for the first time since March and it was also one of the hottest days of the year to date.

With games expected to be played throughout June and July, Bruce knows conditions will be very different for his players.

He added: “We have had an unbelievable seven or eight weeks in terms of weather.

“That adds its problems as well.

“If we are going to be playing Premier League matches in July it is unheard of. We will address all of that.

“It is unprecedented so we will do the best we can and make sure we are ready for whatever is ahead.”

Talking fans through the first steps back into training, Bruce added: “The first step was we were only allowed four or five on a pitch.

“A lot of drills, a touch of the ball – but nothing really we would onsider playing a game or possession game. That was the main difference.

“You can do as much running as you like but the one thing a footballer wants to do is kick a football.

“Last week we were all happy to be taking part in phase one and making sure everything worked.

“I have to say the players physically have come back in good shape, which is vitally important. Thursday was like normality.

“It is vitally important we have a start date.”