Preston return to training as new season approaches

The squad had to report to Springfields yesterday for Covid-19 testing but it’s today that the hard work starts.

It’s just 22 days since the 2019/20 season finished for North End with a 1-1 draw at Bristol City.

With fitness levels unlikely to have dropped much in that period, it won’t be too long before Alex Neil can focus on getting the squad their match fitness in a series of friendlies.

Their first competitive game could come as soon as August 29, Championship clubs likely to play Carabao Cup games that weekend.

The 2020/21 season starts on Saturday, September 12, games in that opening spell all behind closed doors.

Conditions at the training ground will be slightly less restrictive than they were for the closing period of last season.

EFL protocol now allows players to use the dressing room and importantly gym facilities.

Throughout the restart period, those were out of bounds – players have to do gym work at home.

Staff and players will still have to careful in the indoor areas and adhere to social distancing measures.

Numbers allowed in the gym and dressing room will be reduced greatly compared to before the pandemic.

A large number of the squad will return to training now in the final year of their contracts.

PNE have been talking with the agents of some of those about extensions.

Long-serving midfielder Paul Gallagher is a different boat to his team-mates, in that he is now out of contract.

Gallagher’s contract ended on June 30 and he signed a short-term extension to cover the seven games which were played in July.

He remains on the payroll as players reaching the end of their contracts are paid for an extra month – that happens at all clubs.

It’s understood that Gallagher has been offered a new deal.

The fact North End have so many players in the final year of their contracts is down to a couple of factors.

The club were waiting to see which division they would be in – when the season was put on hold in March they were in the play-offs.

Then the pandemic lead to uncertainty on cash flow and what could be afforded.

Several of those in the final year – but not all – have had new offers over the last couple of weeks.

The return to training should focus minds and hopefully there will be some headway made in the next week or so.