CLOSING IN: PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS IN UNANIMOUS VOTE

Big step as Blades and rivals agree on tackling

AFTER MORE than two months, Sheffield United’s players will be able to start tackling again today after Premier League clubs unanimously voted through the next step towards the resumption of English football.

The Blades have not played since March 7, and two weeks later suspended training, the last top-flight club to do so.

They have been vocal in supporting a restart but the vote is also a boost for Leeds United.

Premier League clubs only returned to group training last week but, encouraged by just 12 positive results from 2,752 Covid-19 tests, they are moving towards what they hope will be a mid- to late-June return.

“Squads are now able to train as a group and engage in tackling while minimising any unnecessary close contact,” said a Premier League statement.

Clubs will meet again today when they are expected to discuss a possible resumption date, neutral venues, methods for resolving the league if it cannot be completed and broadcasting arrangements if it can.

How much training players need will be an important discussion. June 12 has long been a target date, but this could be put back by one or two weeks.

Return to training protocols, the small number of positive tests, GPS technology, research and an advisory group for black, Asian and minority ethnic players appear to have gone a long way to easing players’ concerns. Analysis of prepandemic training has revealed players spend an average of three seconds within 2m of others.

The Blades are in contention to qualify for Europe for the first time and completing the Premier League season will also help Leeds by removing the biggest argument against relegation into the Championship. The Whites top the table, seven points above the play-off places with nine matches remaining.

Rotherham United are in League One’s second automatic promotion spot. The division is expected to vote on whether to continue its season next week, but the Championship is committed to a restart and expected to follow the Premier League’s lead on training, having only returned on Monday.

STEPPING IT UP: Liverpool’s James Milner is put through his paces further during a training session at the Premier League leaders’ Melwood Training Ground yesterday. Today will see players from all 20 clubs introduce tackling to their training session as the top-flight continues its preparations for resuming the 2019-20 season sometime in June.