Leicester City Premier League return latest as Man United prepare to kick off restart
An update of the latest news regarding the Premier League's Project Restart
Jamie Kemble
Leicester City have now been out of action for more than two months.
The coronavirus pandemic continues to halt the Premier League, but there are signs of a return with teams returning to training in group sessions last week.
Every day brings fresh news over when the top-flight might return to action, and to help you keep up, we have put together a round-up of all the latest news about when Foxes football could return.
First game set to involve Manchester United
Tottenham's hosting of Manchester United is set to be the first match when the Premier League returns in June.
Leicester City and their Premier League rivals are expected to approve the protocols for phase two of return to training, which would allow for a maximum group size of 12 - but crucially would not be full contact sessions, which follow in phase three.
However, there is optimism that the road ahead is starting to become clear and it has been reported that dates for the return of the Premier League could be decided this week - likely to be either June 19 or June 26.
It is reported that the plan is for staggered kick-off times on Saturday and Sunday, with four matches on each day, followed by Monday Night Football - and every game is set to be available for UK audiences.
Sky Sports would show four matches and BT Sport would have one slot, with the other five matches set to be available with free-to-air access - potentially on YouTube or via the red button.
It has previously been suggested that matches could take place daily but it's now reported that the Premier League is keen on a routine for weekend matches - although midweek games are still likely to be required to fit in all the remaining fixtures.
ESPN reports that the first game upon the league's return will be Manchester United's trip to face Tottenham, where they will face off against former manager Jose Mourinho in what is a crucial battle for Champions League football.
Full dates and details are yet to be confirmed and there will are important discussions lying ahead in the coming days and weeks, so the situation could be subject to change at short notice.
Restart date to be missed
The Premier League are set to miss their target resumption date of June 12.
That's according to ESPN, who say Leicester City and their top-flight rivals won't be in action until later than planned next month.
Though, it is reportedly because of the clubs themselves, the report claiming the delay will come as a result of teams wanting longer to prepare.
Top-flight clubs argue three to four weeks of preparation is required to get back up to full speed, and players only returned to the grass last week.
(Image: Alex Morton/Getty Images)
If clubs successfully argue their point in this week's meetings, the June 12 target date could be pushed back to June 19 or June 26.
Another meeting will take place on Wednesday when clubs will discuss and vote on a"risk assessment and mitigation plan".
The next stage of Project Restart is expected to be agreed with government approval, allowing players to train in groups of 12.
Clubs will then meet again with League bosses on Thursday when a start date is expected to be agreed upon.
In those discussions, it's expected League bosses will be outnumbered by clubs in their bid to restart on June 12.
Unpopular proposal back on the table
Leicester City's Premier League season could be completed using a combination of home, away, and neutral grounds in a new proposal.
A previous proposal to play all 92 remaining matches at neutral stadiums was scrapped after Premier League chief executive Richard Masters admitted every club, including the Foxes, was against the idea.
The bottom six clubs in the Premier League had been particularly vocal about losing home advantage even with games set to be played behind closed doors.
But now in a new report by the Daily Mail, the Premier League are now believed to be considering a new hybrid model.
(Image: Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images)
The model would see a handful of fixtures moved to a neutral venue in order to allay any lingering safety concerns, but most remaining fixtures would still be played at home grounds.
The report goes on to add that the matches deemed "higher risk" are the ones that will be switched to a neutral stadium.
The reason behind the move is believed to be aimed at preventing fans from congregating outside grounds and causing safety concerns amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The Premier League's Project Restart received a huge boost on Monday morning after the government released its "phase two" guidance for athletes and elite sportsmen and women.
This next stage will enable footballers to return to close-contact and competitive training, provided it has the "appropriate carefully controlled medical conditions in place".
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