West Brom set for training base return

Head coach Slaven Bilic will head to the club's Walsall training base for the first time since early March where he will speak with members of his squad while maintaining social distancing rules.

Albion's training headquarters have been closed for eight weeks in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

During that time, the players have had to maintain their fitness by working in isolation at home – with each squad member issued with a tailored programme every Sunday.

Tomorrow, though, the Baggies will take their first tentative steps towards resuming their push for promotion by allowing players into their base on Birmingham Road.

Squad members will take part in individual training sessions and also work in groups of three while observing all health measures imposed by the Government.

The players have been told to arrive at the training ground on a strict rota basis with times staggered throughout the day.

Head coach Bilic and technical director Luke Dowling have been having regular discussions about when the players should return to training.

And they feel the time has now come with the EFL, Premier League and government all having daily talks in the hope football will soon be able to return.

It is also understood Albion are reluctant to let their players train in isolation for much longer.

Bilic and his staff now want the players working to more intense, specialised, programmes that can be carried out under the guidance of coaches while maintaining social distancing rules.

They also don't feel it is good for the mental wellbeing of the players to continue to train alone – especially those who live on their own.

EFL chairman Rick Parry previously wrote to all its member clubs advising them to return to training no earlier than May 16 – with the Baggies returning just a few days earlier.

They hope to receive more guidance about when the season could resume when the EFL meet tomorrow.