Tom Barkhuizen believes football can find a safe way to play again this season

The 26-year-old is keen to resume playing and is watching with interest how the game’s authorities are trying to plan for that.

In line with advice from the EFL, North End are planning to start training on May 16.

That would be with a view to the season resuming early in June, with the hope it can be finished by July 31.

Barkhuizen is itching to put the boots on again and thinks professional sport can be played again with some adjustments.

“I can’t see us going back if we are not being tested,” Barkhuizen told the Lancashire Post.

“That will be a big thing which I’m sure will be talked about as the people in charge try to get the game started.

“There might have to be other things which are done differently.

“If we have to wash our own kits, so what? I was at Blackpool for six years and washed my own kit, I have no problems with that.

“If you have to shower at home rather than at the ground, who cares?

“Even in training if you can’t be as close as normally you would be, as long as your fitness levels are up.

“If it is a case that you have to social distance to join training but in games as long as you test clear you can play, I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t play.

“There are other things to consider like the availability of ambulances, that has to be worked out.”

Barkhuizen says the debate over whether football should restart in the weeks ahead is bound to see strong arguments both for and against.

“To be honest, I just want to play,” said Barkhuizen.

“It is hard because you don’t want to say the wrong thing and see it interpreted in a different way.

“A lot of people have the opinion that they just want football back, a lot of people have the opinion of why should football take precedence over other things.

“I read the interview with Steve Parish (Crystal Palace chairman) and he pointed out that football brings so much, not just to our country but every country.

“People moan about players’ wages but as Steve Parish said 50% of that money goes back to the country in tax.

“From my point of view I just want to go back and play.

“Whether I was at a club at the top end of the table or the bottom, I would want to get back.

“I would imagine there are a lot of players like me who want to get back playing and to get back to some sense of normal life.”