Newcastle boss Steve Bruce warns players will not be ready to resume Premier League until end of June

Project Restart has a provisional restart of June 12, but Bruce says that is not viable with teams being inactive since the middle of March

Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce says players will not be ready to resume the Premier League until the end of June.

Project Restart has a provisional restart of June 12, but Bruce says that is not viable with teams being inactive since the middle of March.

“We need a good stretch of time here to get them ready,” he told the Sunday Telegraph. “Certainly once we get into stage two, that is vitally important.

“We need enough preparation to get these players into shape or they are just going to fall down like a pack of cards. Most of the managers have the same concerns. We would need at least six weeks.

“I don’t see how we can play games until the back end of June.”

Bruce said that, providing all of his players and staff return negative tests, Newcastle will start group training on Tuesday.

“Certainly, the measures being put in place, you’re probably more at risk going to the supermarket or putting petrol in your car,” he added. We are in a fortunate position, we can get tested every three days.

“We will be tested on Sunday, every player and every member of staff. Once we get the results back, if everybody is OK, we are pencilled to start training again at 2pm on Tuesday afternoon.” PA