I WOULD not have any concerns over the increased injury risk from playing again – and I don’t think the players will either.
For me, there is enough time to get players back up to speed before the return of the Premier League.
From personal experience, I’ve had pre-seasons that have gone on for six or seven weeks and I’ve felt perfect heading into the season.
Ironically though, I had only five days of training before my best ever season when Blackburn won the title in 1995.
I had been in bed with hepatitis for three or four weeks but then started the first game at Southampton and ended up not missing a single match.
We probably will get injuries but then again we also would if everyone had eight weeks of preparation instead.
It’s possible we will see more muscle injuries but we have got to accept that to finish the season –and I think the players have.
While the work of sport scientists will be hugely important, I don’t expect to see sides ravaged by injuries.
And let’s not forget that every club is in exactly the same boat.
Everyone was given individual programmes and has the same amount of time to train, so I can’t see how anyone will have an advantage.
The work that sport science and physio departments do is, for me, much of a muchness.
It’s all very similar so I don’t think clubs will be able to gain much of an advantage at all over anyone else.
They tend to be the ones who are screaming about the amount of games we play, that there are far too many injuries, that there is not enough rest.
But they are now going to have a huge part to play in getting the balance right and ensuring everyone is as close to peak fitness as possible.
All teams will be starting 11 v 11 training soon, and while normal pre-season friendlies allow you to ease your way back in, they should get plenty of game-time before they start again.
Players have been off for around 11 weeks now so will be absolutely desperate to get back playing.
They will be delighted to get back to contact training over the next week or 10 days, with more game-based practice, and I think they will be ready.
The fact managers can now call on five substitutes should also be a great help in keeping players fresh.
Another round of fixtures has passed successfully in Germany and it was great news that no players came back positive after the latest batch of testing in this country.
It all seems to be going well, and if it continues like this, then it is full steam ahead.
We are going to have to get used to not having any fans, but I’m sure that won’t be a big issue for the players.
As we have seen in Germany, they have adapted quickly to their new surroundings.
And with just over two weeks to go before we get underway, I can’t wait to get back to talking about actual football again.
