Sheffield United players set to take part in talks which could decide if Premier League football returns next month

Sheffield United’s players will receive an opportunity to express any concerns they might have about ‘Project Restart’ - the Premier League’s plan to resume competition next month - when members debate its contents next week.
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Officials from the governing body are set to present a detailed set of proposals relating to coronavirus testing, social distancing during training and the possibility of staging matches, which are set to take place behind closed doors, at neutral venues when representatives of the country’s leading teams meet on Monday.

With the Professional Footballers’ Association and League Managers Association also set to be involved in the process, leading figures within every club’s dressing room are then set to give their views on the document before it is formally presented.

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Chris Wilder, the United manager, confirmed during an interview with a Middle Eastern rights holder that he will allow any member of his squad unhappy about the prospect of playing through the pandemic to declare themselves unavailable for selection.

“If any individual player took that decision and came to me and said, ‘It’s not for me,’ I’d respect that,” he said.

Although Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero has claimed the thought of competing until a vaccine for the disease is discovered frightens most footballers, United’s George Baldock, Sander Berge and Chris Basham have all declared themselves “desperate” to return.

Wilder’s side were seventh in the table - five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea - when the fixture calendar was suspended two months ago.

An important message:

Sheffield United's players will be given a chance to express their thoughts on the Premier League's 'Project Restart': Simon Bellis/SportimageSheffield United's players will be given a chance to express their thoughts on the Premier League's 'Project Restart': Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Sheffield United's players will be given a chance to express their thoughts on the Premier League's 'Project Restart': Simon Bellis/Sportimage

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