Tykes’ Ritzmaier gets glimpse of ‘new normal’ in Austria

BARNSLEY midfielder Marcel Ritzmaier admits he is keen to return to England and has no safety concerns at resuming his playing career here.

Ritzmaier, who joined the Reds from Wolfsberger AC in January, is back home in his native Austria, but is watching developments in his place of work closely.

Statistically, the United Kingdom has the worst coronavirus death toll in Europe, with some foreign-based players having expressed unease about football’s return, but Ritzmaier is not among that number.

Ritzmaier, who has endured a stop-start beginning to his career in the Championship, not helped by an early injury, said: “Of course, if the situation is good, then of course, we will come back and start training for the games.

“We are looking forward to it. Now it is a long time without football and we are hoping that it is going to be soon.

“I was happy to make the move to Barnsley and proud and I know the players and club now and really happy to make the step.

“I am looking forward to being back and playing games again.”

With Austria being one of the first countries in Europe to ease lockdown measures, Ritzmaier has been able to touch base with Barnsley team-mate Michael Sollbauer and has also called in on his former team-mates at Wolfsberger, who are back in training.

Having observed social distancing measures in training at his old club, Ritzmaier admits that he and his Reds colleagues will have to get used to a ‘new normal’ when they return to their daily life at Barnsley.

He added: “I have been to Wolfsberger’s training ground and it was good to see the players again. But it was a strange situation as they are training with a big distance (away) from each other and you can do only so many exercises on the pitch.

“They do a little bit of running and passing with the ball and that is it. It is really strange, but at least they can be on the pitch together, that is the most important thing.

“They are having a lot of tests and that sounds secure and they are ready to start (playing) again and are training to get back used to each other. It sounds good.

“I also saw Michael (Sollbauer) last week and speak to him very often. We are almost neighbours.

“I have also been speaking with the coaches and all the players in the UK.”

■ Macclesfield have been hit with an immediate seven-point deduction which leaves them just three points above Stevenage in League Two.

Macclesfield had admitted two misconduct charges relating to an unfulfilled fixture against Plymouth on December 21 and nonpayment of players in February.

The Silkmen’s home game against Plymouth was postponed after they failed to get a safety certificate for their Moss Rose stadium.