Back To Business: Almiron wants to put smiles back on fans' faces when Premier League resumes

The Paraguay international and his team mates haven't played since the season was suspended in March following the coronavirus outbreak, but reported back last week for the first phase of training, where the players worked in small groups with no contact.

Then on Thursday the squad were able to train together for the first time, with tackling permitted, before Premier League shareholders agreed a new provisional restart date for the campaign of Wednesday, 17th June, provided that all safety requirements are in place.

And Almirón, speaking to nufc.co.uk this week, explained: "I feel really well. Being in quarantine has been a little bit tough but thankfully I'm feeling fit. I'm really happy to be getting back into training and to be able to see my team mates once again.

"It's been a bit weird as we've been training in groups of five, and normally we're used to training all together as a group and seeing each other every day. But that's what has to be done to be able to keep on top of all of this.

"I know that we are taking all the necessary precautionary measures that the government have put in place. We're keeping to all those guidelines and so I think that it won't be long before football is back. And now we're back training all together again as a group, which is what we've all missed the most."

Almirón's pace and energy are a big part of his game, and the 26-year-old worked to an individually-tailored programme set by the club during the first stage of lockdown, using gym equipment and a treadmill at his home - but he knows only too well that nothing can replicate full contact training sessions for a top flight footballer.

"I'd been training at home, just like all the other lads," he said. "The club sent us all our own individual fitness sessions that we had to do every day, but it's just not the same, doing it on the running machine, as it is running out on the pitch with a ball at your feet alongside your team mates. That's what you missed the most."

While the Premier League's return seems to be moving ever closer, Germany's top two leagues have already restarted and Almirón has been keeping a close eye on Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga.

So far, things appear to have gone smoothly and when asked if be believes that England's top league can follow suit, the Newcastle man said: "I've been watching a few of the games, so I think we can, yes. As long as we take all the right precautionary measures, I think that we can start playing football once again, not just here, but in other countries too."

Unfortunately, Covid-19 means that matches will have to take place behind closed doors - although every game will be broadcast live in the UK by Sky Sports, BT Sport, BBC Sport and Amazon Prime.

"We're bound to miss our own supporters, just like I'm sure they're going to miss being able to attend games at the stadium like they usually do," said Almirón.

"But that's just what has to be done for now so that we can get back to some sort of normality as quickly as possible. If and when the league starts up again, we'll be trying hard to perform at our absolute best so we can put a smile back on the fans' faces."

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