Phil Parkinson discusses the next steps for Sunderland and potential recruitment opportunities

Parkinson is one of a small number of club staff working from home as the COVID-19 crisis continues.

The fate of Sunderland’s campaign remains unknown, with it still unclear whether it will be possible to complete the remaining fixtures on the pitch.

Nevertheless, the EFL remain determined to return behind closed doors when safe to do so and so Parkinson is keen to ensure Sunderland are as prepared as they can be.

In the initial stages of the lockdown, Parkinson and physical performance coach Nick Allamby were monitoring player’s fitness work via an app.

WIth Allamby and the playing staff furloughed, that is no longer possible.

Parkinson has been checking in with the players regarding their mental welfare and is sure that they will be keeping fit indiviually.

“We’re monitoring what we can and can’t do and the minute it is safe to get back into the training ground, either individually or in small groups, we’ll be looking to do that,” he said.

“The lads were going through a fitness programme under Nick Allamby but then of course the players and coaching staff have been put on furlough, which changes things.

“But the players want to be back as quickly as possible, so they will be keeping up their fitness at home – modern-day players would do that as a matter of course – and they will be using their daily exercise as a release, both physically and mentally, like a lot of other people in the country.

“I’ve checked in on them to make sure they are OK and mentally in a good place, and they are very positive.

“They just want to be back at work and back training again, which you can understand.

“We all want to get the season going again but everybody understands the situation and we can only get back training and playing when it is safe,” he added.

“When you look at where we are now, saying that in a month’s time 22 players are going to be running around in close proximity on a football pitch seems quite a long way away.

“The signs from the Government are that things are going in the right direction and we just hope that that continues as the weeks go on.”

While Sunderland’s promotion fate remains uncertain, Parkinson is using the chance to assess his potential options in the transfer market when the window opens.

“I’ve had a lot of agents calling me about players, but you know that a lot of the conversations are just preliminary, sounding you out,” he said.

“But it has to continue because players at other clubs will be out of contract, and this when those talks would normally start cranking up.

“Obviously it’s very different this year but it pays to plan and be prepared for when we do get the go-ahead to play again.

“I just need to keep my ear to the ground in terms of who might be available, what other clubs are doing with their players etc.”