Preston players will not need long to get themselves ready to play, says Alan Browne

The season has now been suspended for eight weeks and there is no date set in stone for a resumption.

It is hoped that EFL clubs will start training again from May 16 with a view to games possibly starting in June.

Players have spent much of the lockdown doing fitness programmes at home, that combined with a period of rest to get refreshed.

Browne told the Lancashire Post: “I don’t think we will have lost too much fitness to be honest.

“Probably two or three weeks would get us back to where we want to be.

“We’ve all been doing a lot of work at home to keep us as fit as possible. People at different clubs will have their own opinion on this but I think that is where we are at.

“For those who have needed it, there’s been the chance to have a bit of a break and get some rest.

“Then we have got on and done the fitness work ready for when we do get back.”

Browne says keeping in touch with his team-mates and the PNE staff has been important in recent weeks.

There has been the usual group chat and texts, plus some training sessions done over Zoom.

“The strength sessions we’ve had enabled all of us to catch up,” said Browne.

“We get to speak for five minutes or so when we first log on and then we are all put on mute for the session.

“I’ve tried to keep in touch with a lot of the lads.

“The manager speaks with us all, not just for football reasons but also to make sure everyone is okay.

“That is good for some people who might need a bit of company – just a telephone call can make a difference.”

Part of the keeping in touch process saw Browne recently take part in a quiz night remotely.

The Republic of Ireland international said: “It was myself, Sean Maguire, Declan Rudd, Callum Robinson and our partners.

“Dec won and it was a really enjoyable night. I think it is something we are going to try and make a weekly thing.

“Seeing people’s faces is important rather than just a text, and this wasn’t something we had done as a couple before.

“It was nice to do and maybe I can win next time.

“Things like that make a nice change and keep you busy. These are strange times and you just wonder when we can get back to normal.

“When do you risk being near someone in the supermarket? I suppose one day we will get back to normal.”