Preston North End midfielder Josh Harrop on using football's shutdown wisely

It is two months since clubs stopped training following the season’s suspension due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

All being well, EFL teams will return to training next Monday, although strict guidelines will be in place to limit contact and make sure social distancing is adhered to.

Harrop and his PNE team-mates have been keeping in shape at home doing fitness programmes.

While it is no substitute for group training and playing matches, Harrop thinks there are benefits to take from such a long lay-off.

“We have all listened to what Preston have told us and done the work asked,” Harrop told the Lancashire Post.

“It’s been a case of keeping the body ticking over and maintaining a good level of fitness.

“In situations like that or when you have a long time out of the game with an injury, I think it is an opportunity to try and improve.

“You should try and use the time wisely, do things you might not get the chance to do when the football is day in, day out and your focus is fully on the next match.

“It might be some extra work on an area of your fitness, some core work or something like that.

“You might study an aspect of your game and have a think how that can get better.”

Away from the football, Harrop has had the time to spruce up his house.

Not that the 24-year-old is suddenly claiming to be a DIY expert.

“I’ve put some new curtains up – things like that you tend to put off when you are training and playing,” said Harrop.

“The paint brush has come out too, I’ve painted a few things upstairs.

“I was more enthusiastic in the first few weeks and a couple of jobs are only half done.”

With the plan being for the Championship campaign to resume after less than three weeks’ training, it is likely to be very much a squad game if the matches get going.

Harrop started the last game before the shutdown against QPR, having been on the bench for the two matches before that.

That has been the pattern for him, having started 12 league games this season and coming off the bench 13 times.

He has scored eight goals – five in the league and three in the two cup competitions.