Contact training green light for Wigan Athletic

Latics have been given the green light by the EFL to move to the next phase of their preparations ahead of the resumption of the season on June 20.

Permission to start contact training has been granted on a club-by-club basis, including the submitting of a lengthy risk assessment document, detailing the safety guidelines being adopted.

Players will continue to be tested twice a week for Covid-19 in line with EFL protocol.

Up to this point, the Latics squad has been working in small pockets at staggered times to respect the social distancing measures in place.

And Scotland international goalkeeper David Marshall – Wigan’s most experienced player – admits it’s taken some getting used to.

“It was strange, getting tested twice for Covid-19 but it’s what needs to be done,” he said. “We need to make sure the environment in football is as safe as it possibly can be.

“The training has been non-contact stuff, and the sessions have been staggered to allow us to work in small groups.

“It’s just been great to get back into it, and feel the ball again. That said, the goalkeepers had to do some of the running the other day – and it was as tough a physical session as I’ve had in a long time!

“It was like a proper pre-season shift. But that was what I needed.

“I’ve been away from the game for the best part of 10 weeks, and that is the longest period I’ve had to sit things out since I became a professional almost 20 years ago. I’ve missed it, to be honest.”

Latics will resume the campaign two points clear of the drop zone with nine games to play.

Having gone into the lockdown on the back of a six-match unbeaten run – including four clean sheets on the spin – Marshall wants the side to hit the ground running.

“Our aim is to pick up from where we left off,” he told the 'Sunday Post'.

“We were in great form. Now we might just be three wins away from safety, and we’d look to get that done as quickly as possible.

“But we all know how competitive the Championship is. Most teams still have something to play for.

“In fact, whether it’s to make the top six or avoid going down, I think every team has something to focus on.

“When we get back to playing, there won’t be time to take a breath.

“It will be intense and exciting. I’m really looking forward to it.”