Sunderland's next steps ahead of extended break explained as League One boss makes candid admission

Having had no fixture scheduled for this weekend even before the EFL announced its initial postponement of fixtures, players had been given the start of this week off from training.

In light of fixtures being postponed until April 3rd, that was simply extended to the rest of this week.

Sunderland were likely to return to training next week but the FA on Thursday then confirmed that all professional fixtures would be postponed until the end of April at the earliest.

That decision has seen five further Sunderland fixtures postponed and will require Parkinson to draw up a fresh plan for his players in the coming weeks.

He will work closely with physical performance coach Nick Allamby to ensure that players are kept safe and are fully prepared for a potential return to league action in May.

Of course, that is dependent entirely on how the outbreak of COVID-19 develops, with the FA also announcing that the current campaign would be extended ‘indefinitely’.

Manager of fellow League One side Paul Warne has admitted that two of his players are in self-isolation, while loanee Dan Barlaser has been recalled by Newcastle United.

That summed up the challenges managers throughout the footballing pyramid are likely to face in the current weeks, and the Rotherham United boss stressed that health was the most important consideration.

The EFL this week underlined its intention to play the current campaign to a full resolution, but Warne said that should not be ‘at all costs’.

"Nothing is at all costs, so not if there are any serious health risks, no chance. Obviously football and sport is important, so it's really weird at weekends at the moment, but nothing comes at all costs,” he said.

"I appreciate that we're in an unbelievable position in the league and if we're not able to finish it I'd be disappointed, but not as disappointed as I would be if other things happened. We'd just have to build again for next season and have a right good go at it if it came to that.

“I understand that the season normally has to finish by 1st June but that has now been taken out by the football authorities.

"There is a lot of change and a lot of things that will happen in the future but as much as we all love football, it isn't the most important thing at the moment,” he added.

"Hopefully, in weeks and months to come, life will go back to normal and we can enjoy watching the lads run around again.

“As the weeks progress it will become more apparent as to what is going to happen really.

"Things will be out of our control but if we all get through healthy and happy and whatever is to be, is to be, I'm not going to lose sleep about what is going to happen with the football.”