Todd Cantwell is missing being out on the pitch with his team-mates, but the Norwich City midfielder understands the bigger picture beyond football.
The 22-year-old is working on an individualised training programme after the Canaries instructed their playing staff to continue training at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Cantwell is one of a number of City staff calling elderly supporters to offer a reassuring voice and support in a period of uncertainty and difficulty.
The Dereham-born midfielder is urging his team-mates to utilise this hiatus in a similar way to that of pre-season.
“It’s been tough. It’s the love of playing football that’s hurting more than most. It’s the enjoyment of getting out on the grass and kicking the ball around before training that I miss.
“We had a good momentum before all this kicked off, we had a great result at Tottenham, not so much at Sheffield United but we were in a good way and in a physical shape. As long as the players maintain that whilst we’re off then hopefully we can pick up from where we left off.
“If we look at it as a pre-season and treat it like that, then we can say that we have eight games plus the cup to make a great recovery from what we’d done before.
“We’ve been unlucky in the games before and not got the results we deserve so hopefully we can get some luck,” Cantwell added.
“It’s important people respect the advice they’ve been given and we’ve got to treat it as seriously as it is. Whenever it is that we’re playing again at Carrow Road, it’ll be the right time for sure.”
All footballing activity has been suspended by the governing bodies until April 30 and Cantwell is keen to remind supporters of the greater good as society battles with Covid-19.
“It’s strange. It’s frustrating at times but, at the same time, there’s a greater good and a bigger picture. Everyone is doing their best to limit the spread and it’s important people respect what is being asked of them. Football is a big thing but as long as we respect the guidelines, then hopefully we can shut this down soon and normality resumes.”
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