RAHEEM STERLING is worried about returning to training until he knows it is completely safe.
The Manchester City star, 25, and close friends have lost family members to coronavirus.
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Raheem Sterling is worried about returning to training until it’s safe after losing family members and friends to coronavirusCredit: Reuters
He said: “I’ve a close friend to me who has had their grandma pass away – and family members of myself too.
“So you’ve got to be wise, take care of yourself and those around you.
“We all want to get back to football, we’re all passionate and love football. But there’s a massive pandemic going on.
“The moment we go back, we have to make sure it’s not just for football reasons, that it’s safe for everyone.
“I don’t know how it’s going to work. But once the safety of people and players is secured and everyone is going to be looked after that’s the right time.
“Until then, I’m – not scared, exactly – but a bit reserved and thinking ‘what’s the worst outcome’.
“At the same time I’m looking forward to it and hoping it will be well when we do get back.”
Sterling’s team-mate Sergio Aguero said earlier this month that coronavirus had made him ‘scared’ of playing.
And the England ace says he too has reservations as Pep Guardiola’s squad prepare to return later this month.
The England ace says he will want reassurances the players are not putting themselves in any danger.
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Yet when the players get the assurances they want, Sterling said he will be raring to go.
And he believes it will only take a maximum of three weeks to get back to full fitness.
He said: “I can’t wait to be back on the pitch and have one of those balls go in the back of the net. To have that feeling of scoring a goal…I can’t wait.
“Because I’ve been in the garden, I don’t think it will be as weird as the weeks off in the summer. Literally then I just shut down.
“It will be a bit weird to get to top speed. It’ll take a good two or three weeks to get back into that rhythm and playing the best.
“I’ve been playing every day in the garden. It’s been a moment to identify what I need to work on and work on it. So it’s been a plus for me as well.
“It’s a crazy time but the lockdown has given us periods to cherish with our families that we might not get again.”
Martin Keown questions whether players want Premier League to return after Sergio Agüero admits they are ‘scared for their families’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
