Newcastle United's players return to training ground

Steve Bruce’s players are returning to small-group training after the Premier League’s clubs approved new protocols yesterday.

The squad has been at home since mid-March, when football was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

United’s players will maintain social distancing in the “first phase” of their return.

“We’re allowed to train four to five people on one pitch,” head coach Bruce told NUFC TV. “So, basically, a player has a quarter of a pitch to work within, so distance not a problem. We’ll train eight to 10 at a time, two separate pitches.

“They’ll all arrive at the training ground, but not going into the training ground. They will not eat in the canteen. They’ll not be treated by a physio. They’ll be all in their gear, dressed to basically get out of their car and walk straight on to the training pitch itself.”

The players have each been given a designated arrival time and parking bay. Training is being staggered so there is only ever a limited number of players at the training ground at any one time.

“Everything’s in place,” said Bruce. “I’ve got no issues. We’re as safe as we possibly can be. Going into phase two is the next step. I think with the protocols in place, we’ll do everything we possibly can to get up and running.

“Phase two is training normally, and I think that’s the vital time.”

Paul Dummett, sidelined since January with a hamstring problem, was among the first group of players to report back.

The defender, 28, was left out of the club’s 25-man Premier League squad for the second half of the season after being ruled out of the club’s remaining fixtures along with Jetro Willems, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

Dummett, however, could be fit for the proposed restart next month, and the squad rule could be relaxed by the Premier League.

Newcastle, 13th in the league, have nine games left to play.