Sheffield Wednesday players expecting update from Garry Monk as club looks towards Championship return

Goalkeeping coach Nicky Weaver questioned whether players would require friendly matches before being thrown back into a competitive environment and said that Garry Monk will communicate the next steps forward for the first team in the coming days as the Owls look towards a return to the Championship season.

Confusion remains as to the next steps regarding the possible return of football and Weaver said that Wednesday’s plans for any change in the will be revealed by Monk once the Government’s intentions are known.

There has been speculation that the latest announcement could see certain restrictions lifted, which would in turn allow footballers to alter their training routines.

“We're waiting to see what the Government say on Sunday night and then the gaffer will get in touch with us and know the plan from there,” Weaver tols the Under The Cosh podcast.

“We'll be guided by the Government and see what the guidelines are. I'm sure the Premier League and the EFL will come out with their own guidelines and we'll just follow that.

Wednesday’s players have been given bespoke training regimes designed by head of sports science Tony Strudwick, who assistant boss Lee Bullen described as a ‘big bonus’ for the club in what has been a turbulent period from a coaching perspective.

But Weaver accepted there could well be issues with the condition of players after such a long lay-off. German football is scheduled to return next week but clubs including St Pauli, temporary home of Wednesday loanee Matt Penney, have been in training outdoors since April 7.

“There's being fit and then there's match fit,” Weaver said. “Obviously the lads are doing their running and cycling, they've got their bikes at home and that stuff.

“But there's no substitute for training competitively and playing games. Will we need friendly games? That's a question. But all I'd say is that nobody really has an advantage over the other because everyone's in the same boat with things.”