Portsmouth head physio's verdict on players tackling fixture challenge they're likely to face on return to action

And the Blues’ award-winning backroom staff will have Kenny Jackett’s men ready to return to action at full throttle - as and when they’re given the green light to do so.

Football has entered into an uncertain period in the face of coronavirus pandemic gripping the globe.

The elite game in England is suspended until Friday, April 3 at the earliest, with the Football League yesterday meeting to discuss the huge swathe of possible outcomes.

Uefa have stated they’re committed to completing the league season by June 30, potentially paving the way for an intensive run of games.

Pompey head physio, Bobby Bacic, feels the medicine and performance team, staff and players are well versed in the challenge of dealing with a fixture backlog.

He said: ‘April 4 (the Saturday after the return date) is the date given at present, so that’s what we have to work towards.

‘It could change in the next hour, but if that’s the date given we’d be foolish not to work towards it.

‘The boys have to maintain their fitness and be ready to go if that date stays solid.

‘If you look at our history we played 62 last season and it’s currently heading towards at least 60 this season.

‘We’ve got very low injury rates here and we’re used to congested programmes.

‘So we take it in our stride, but we think we can handle it.

‘It won’t be a lot different to what we’ve already planned for.

‘The staff and the players deserve credit for the injury rate being minimal.

‘You want you squad members fit and we have everyone pretty much ready to go.

‘We’d have a fully-fit squad going into a busy period. That will help us.’

Pompey’s players are currently away from the training ground until at least Monday after being tested for Covid-19, following the suspension of games.

Bacic is adamant they will be able to maintain fitness levels as they continue programmes away from the club.

He added: ‘If the boys did nothing for two weeks it wouldn’t harm them, but they are doing stuff.

‘Some are have their own home gyms because they are avoiding public or local gyms.

‘Some are going out for runs in the park, because that’s in line with government advice.

‘Some have equipment at home like exercise bikes as well, so most are ticking over.

‘They are naturally fit guys who like to stay that way.

‘After two weeks fitness will decline, so we will build them up almost like a mini pre-season.

‘We know what we need to do. It’s a gradual process.

‘Our injury rate at this club is incredibly low and we feel we’re pretty well equipped across the board.

‘We have all the data and we know what is expected, so we will reintroduce them gradually and build them up.

‘Most pre-seasons are six weeks, but this will be a two-week build up.

‘It will be methodical and we will get back to where we were, providing things stay the same

‘There’s so much speculation and things can change, but we have to have a plan - and we think we have a sensible plan.’