'Most players are happy with it': Steve Bruce reveals dressing room view at Newcastle United

Bruce’s players are set to return to training on Tuesday in small groups ahead of a proposed behind-closed-doors restart for the Premier League, which was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Top-flight clubs are tomorrow expected to agree on protocols and safeguards for the first phase of a training.

"We've listened to what has been said and, with the precautions taken, we will get back to work and start phase one," Bruce told the Daily Telegraph. "Can we get to that stage where we can have all the players on the pitch together? We don't know yet.

"Phase one will be mainly fitness work, four or five players on a pitch. Let's see how we get on."

Bruce, looking for a six-week pre-season, believes a mid-June restart is unrealistic given that his players have been at home for more than two months.

"We need enough preparation time to get these players into shape, or they are just going to fall down like a pack of cards,” said Bruce.

"Most of the managers have the same concerns. We would need at least six weeks. I don't see how we can play games until the back end of June."

United defender Danny Rose has voiced reservations about a summer return to the field, and any players who don’t feel safe will have the law on their side if they refuse to return to work.

"If a player refuses to come in or play, I have sympathy for that and would understand it,” said Bruce. “Most of my players are happy with it.

"There was a captain's meeting the other day as well and as a squad they are happy with the measures that are being put in place. You have to respect everybody's personal views on it."

Meanwhile, Germany’s Bundesliga returned this weekend, and Borussia Dortmund beat Schalke 04 4-0.

Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Burki said: “I would’ve obviously preferred it if we had been playing under normal conditions. We all need to adapt. But in a situation like this, you have to try and have fun. And we did at times.”