Premier League teams now allowed to hold contact training, pathway for 2019/20 season announced

The Premier League issued a new statement in regard to the potential pathway for a continuation of the 2019 – 2020 season. With the unanimous shareholder vote, teams are set to resume with contact training.

This means that squads can now include tackling in their practices, while still aiming to minimize superfluous contact between players due the current pandemic.

While talks are ongoing regarding resuming play, this is a hopeful sign for Saints fans looking to see Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side improve on their form from the last month that games had been played.

With only three points gained from four Premier League matches in February, and a loss in their one match in March, it’s easy to see the desire for the 14^th-placed club to get back on the pitch and show some improvement from their time off.

With the past two-odd months off until resuming training recently, the squad should look to be healthy and in top-shape if matches resume in mid-June as many football fans hope.

One player fans can look to see back after an injured stretch is Nathan Redmond, who seems fit and ready to play again.

If play is set to resume in mid-June, Saints will be facing a tough string of matches, with Arsenal travelling to St Mary’s, followed by a trip to Vicarage Road, and a visit from Manchester City to the South Coast.

These are followed by trips to Goodison Park and Old Trafford.

While this stretch may seem harrowing, it would be pleasing to see the side come out swinging with a tricky run of matches to prove their mettle.

With the Bundesliga having resumed play almost two weeks ago, one can only hope for the likelihood of a swift return for the Premier League.