Preston face a challenge to get match fit for restart of the season

Training for clubs in the Championship is due to start next Monday, that less than three weeks before a proposed return of games on June 13.

To start with, the advice is for players to train in small groups so to adhere to social distancing.

There are unlikely to be any friendly games allowed in the build-up, those normally a big part of a pre-season.

These aren’t normal times though, and Neil accepts things have to be done differently.

In an interview with North End’s official website, Neil said: “Getting the players switched back on mentally and getting their bodies physically ready is going to be a tough job, especially with the restrictions in the first week of training.

“We are being advised no friendlies which is very unusual having had the amount of time off we have.

“We aren’t going to have friendly matches to get ourselves match sharp.

“There are a lot of obstacles but it is the same for every clubs and every team.”

Players at all clubs have been keeping physically fit at home with gym work and running.

The work on the training ground will be more focused on what they need to do in matches.

Neil said: “It will be trying to get movements done which are more game-related.

“We are going to come back and potentially have three weeks to prepare.

“For the first week there is no contact allowed and we have to social distance which is a challenge in itself.

“The biggest concern is working them hard enough to get them match-ready and not being allowed to do a lot of the movements and the tackling.

“I listened to someone on Sky Sports who suggested the standard of the games aren’t going to be as good as they could be because the players aren’t going to be firing on all cylinders like they would be after a proper pre-season.”

It seems likely that the Championship will go it alone in the EFL as far as trying to play the season to a finish is concerned.

Last Friday, League Two clubs voted to end their season but still want clubs to be promoted.

League One also met on Friday and no decision was made on their next step.

However, most clubs are thought to be leaning towards finishing now.

North End had hoped to start training on Saturday but the EFL advised putting that back to next Monday.

That was to allow testing procedures to be properly put in place.