Darren Moore on how Doncaster Rovers are dealing with the coronavirus lay-off

On Thursday, English professional football announced the return of matches had been put back until April 30 “at the earliest” to try to combat the spread of covid-19.

Some clubs have trained together during the outbreak, many have given players individual programmes. Doncaster manager Darren Moore gave his squad some time off to refresh physically and mentally, but now they are back to work.

“I thought it was the right time to give them a small but extended break because with all the confusion I thought it was best for them to be at home with their loved ones and families, and just to sit back and let everything settle down a bit,” explained Moore.

“We got them back in on Thursday and just gave them a general training session to get them back into it. They were in good spirits and they looked like they wanted to get back out on the training pitch. The camaraderie between them all was impressive, as ever.

“Should things change from the Government or the EFL perspective, we'll change accordingly.”

Rovers will have to be sharper than most if and when the Football League is able to work towards its objective of completing the season. Bury's expulsion, problems at Bolton Wanderers and postponements for internationals and bad weather have badly disrupted the division. Rovers are one of a handful of League One clubs who still have 12 league matches to play. No one in the English leagues has more.

“We were working towards April 30 now and we'll get our heads together as a staff – medical department, sports science, coaching department and the wider extended staff – because we have to devise (training) programmes that keep the players engaged mentally, psychologically and physically,” said Moore.

“You're not competing for a game as you would on a Saturday but you have a duty of care in terms of the players' health, their conditioning and keeping them mentally active because the EFL want to fulfil the fixtures. We've been given a date now of April 30 and we'll be working towards that.

“We'll come up with detailed training sessions we feel will be right for the players to keep them right for that time when it does come to play football.

“I fully support (the decision to try to complete the season) because of where the season is thus far. It's the right thing to do.”

The first team are training alone at Doncaster's Cantley Park training ground, where the work has had to be different since they returned on Thursday.

“We gave the training ground a deep clean while everyone was out of the building,” said Moore. “It's just the first-team and staff there now, and a skeleton staff at that.

“The players are travelling in individually. We've structured training a little bit later so players can have their breakfast at home and digest their food. We've trained in open spaces, limited gym contact and given them a high-level protein snack to take away.

“We've limited any classroom time, we've done most of our talking in the open air. Strengthening and conditioning work is done outdoors as well but we've really made sure we get the physical conditioning into them as well because as much as they are finely-tuned athletes they still need that physical conditioning and that hand-and-ball coordination. All those aspects have been taken into consideration.

“The Government and certainly the EFL have given us rules and guidelines in terms of how we're conducting ourselves.”

Like all clubs, they are also trying to do their bit to support the community, something Moore takes great pride in.

“Through something none of us would have foreseen, it's good that here at Club Doncaster we've recognised the community and offered support to the elderly and the community, going to visit them and setting up a helpline,” he said. “It's great that the community look on the football club as a focal point.

“We're a community-based football club. This is a moment, even more so than usual, to reach out. It makes me proud and honoured to be a manager knowing such wonderful work is going on within the community.”