Sheffield United players allowed back into training ground

In a sign that English football is getting ready to emerge from its coronavirus-enforced hibernation, Arsenal, West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion reopened their training grounds on Monday, with Tottenham Hotspur following suit on Tuesday.

Now Chris Wilder's players are to be allowed back within strict medical and Government guidelines on social distancing. The players will undergo training and specific sessions on an individual basis.

Coaching and medical staff will use technology to monitor the players from a safe distance.

The Blades were the last Premier League side to abandon group training sessions when the season was put on hold because of the covid-19 outbreak. Since mid-March, the players have been following individual training programmes provided by the club's sports scientists and coaching staff.

No return date has been set for top-flight football, with discussions between the Government and various sporting bodies this week, but there is a will from the Premier League and Downing Street to complete the season as soon as possible, something the Blades are also in favour of. A June 8 date has been floated for a possible return, and it is thought two to three weeks' group training would be needed to be ready for this.

For now, social distancing guidelines remain in place, and the Blades have drawn up revised individual programmes with this in mind. The club are keen to stress the players will be adhering to the Government's medical protocols on their return.

With 10 league games to play this season Sheffield United are seventh in the Premier League, and have been drawn at home to Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals, although it could be that this season's remaining matches are played at neutral venues, and almost certainly behind closed doors.

The Blades have a game in hand on the teams directly above, and winning it could move them into fifth.

With Manchester City banned from Europe for the next two seasons, the top five will qualify for the Champions League, and the next two teams, plus the FA Cup winners or the eighth-placed side if they have already qualified, will play in the Europa League. A successful City appeal against their ban, or a stay of execution until it is heard could complicate the matter.

The Blades have never qualified for Europe.

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