With discussions ongoing about how and even if the 2019-20 season can be completed, some high-profile players have expressed understandable reservations about playing again while the country is still in the grip of a coronavirus pandemic.

Sheffield United's players have only been positive about the prospect of resuming the campaign in public, and Bettis says that reflects the mood of the whole club.

CLOSED: Sheffield United's Bramall Lane has not hosted football since March 7

“I've had meetings with the coaching staff this week and everybody was so positive and so fired-up to get back and get the season started again,” he said. “On Thursday I was on a call with Chris (Wilder, the manager), all of the players and our medical team just making sure they're all comfortable, they're all educated and understand exactly the implications of returning and the way we're doing it and the way we're trying to create this safe bubble for them to come and play football in.

“There isn't anybody that's not desperate to get back and play football.”

The Premier League have had meetings internally and with various other bodies including the Government to try and smooth a way for matches to be played behind closed doors this summer.

Whereas the Football League has told its players not to train until May 25, Sheffield United and other top-division clubs began work at their training ground on an individual basis nearly three weeks ago, but have not yet been given the go-ahead to work in groups.

Bettis is bullish that the decisions being taken at Bramall Lane during the pandemic can leave them in a good position for next season.

“I don't think anybody at the start expected us to be in the position we've ended up in now,” he said with regards to the health situation. “It's been a challenging few months.

“The key thing for us is, with the support of the Premier League and the rest of the clubs in the league, we've all been communicating. It's been a great thing, I think it's brought us all together.

“We've been taking advice from the professionals around the Premier League trying to get the season restarted.

“You run budgets at the start of the year and I don't think anyone could be blamed for not putting this in the cashflow at the start of the season. It's been well-publicised the amount of money involved in the Premier League and the potential losses to each club but the board and our owner have been extremely supportive. We've furloughed staff but not used the Government scheme and made sure everyone gets 100 per cent of their money during this difficult period to keep them okay, at home and safe.

“It's been tough and it's still a long road to go but we're in a good place and making decisions to be able to push forward for next season.”

If the season can resume, Sheffield United have 10 league matches to secure European qualification for the first time, and have a second possible route through the FA Cup.

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Sheffield United 'desperate' to play again despite doubts elsewhere