What Sheffield Wednesday's Matt Penney has told Garry Monk about Germany's return to football

Penney, who is on a season-long loan at Jos Luhukay’s St Pauli, played 68 minutes of their late 1-0 2.Bundesliga win over FC Nuremberg on Sunday.

And speaking to the local media via video call on Tuesday, Monk said he had discussed the fitness of the returning players with the 22-year-old, who is out of contract in the coming weeks.

Wednesday are preparing for a return to training on May 25 in accordance with guidelines et out by the EFL. German clubs were allowed to train from April 7.

“I spoke to Matt; we've kept a close eye on him throughout the season," said Monk.

“He talked about it [the return of football] in terms of preparation. They were in phase two for a while and phase three was only a short period.

“I asked him about how he felt and the fitness side of it and how the squad has coped with that. They don't feel fully fit but they're in a situation where they've basically been told to play these games.”

Earlier this year Monk revealed to The Star that he had considered taking Penney back from his loan at the start of January and that he would be given every opportunity to impress his way into a new contract at Hillsborough.

On what he thought of Germany’s much-hyped return to action last weekend the Wednesday manager said: “I've watched a couple of the games and they're what you expect. Atmosphere-wise, without the fans there, of course it's going to be completely different.

“It's been strange watching but I've watched plenty of games like that. It kind of reminds you of an under-23 game at Hillsborough and there are probably more people there then that at these [Bundesliga] games.

“It's a big empty stadium and of course it's going to be different but I guess it's the necessity of these leagues needing to finish. That's what it's going to be and possibly for quite a bit of time.”