Amazing To Be Back Together, Says Ndidi
- Leicester City and Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi discusses the Club's phased return to training
- With considered safety procedures in place, the Foxes are now partaking in contact training at Belvoir Drive
- A provisional date of 17 June has been set for the Premier League's return following its suspension in mid-March
- Ndidi says City's players will be ready to compete in fixtures due to the work already undertaken over the past 11 weeks
Initially working in groups of no more than five, adhering to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, clubs are now partaking in contact training as part of the Premier League’s Return to Training Protocol.
With the health of players and staff remaining the Club's top priority, City's stars undergo COVID Antigen Testing (CAT) twice weekly to ensure the working environment adheres to the highest safety standards.
For Ndidi, the opportunity to see his team-mates and to step up their collective efforts to be prepared for the planned resumption of the 2019/20 season has so far been an enjoyable experience.
"I'm so glad because [after] staying home for so long, training alone, I'm so happy to see to see the boys, to see everyone in the training ground," the Nigeria international told LCFC TV via webcam.
Training Continues At Belvoir Drive
Preparations for the return of Premier League football took another step forward during training at Belvoir Drive this week.
"It has been amazing because seeing these guys, everyone is okay. So, we're really happy to be back. I'm really, really happy to see these boys and see the manager and everyone at the Club.
"First, we started [training on our own] and then we went into groups of five. So, [in] the groups of five, there was no contact. It's just some distance, two metres apart.
"Or even more [distance] because you do different drills, you know. So, the good thing is seeing these boys, you get the feeling that everything is coming back, trying to become normal.
"It's a good feeling. And then the training is getting back and we're getting used to distancing and training. It has been amazing seeing the boys and giving Bluetooth hugs to everyone!"
For the 10 weeks before returning to training at Belvoir Drive, the Club's players were equipped with dedicated fitness plans by Leicester City's medical and sports science teams to complete remotely.
Ndidi, 23, believes that detailed fitness plan has enabled the Foxes squad to resume contact training with a healthy base level of fitness ahead of a phased transition into more tactical work over coming weeks.
"They've really helped me because those plans were just trying to help you stay in shape, trying to keep you fit ahead of what we're doing now," City's No.25 added.
"It really helped me because, psychologically, I'm always ready; ready and just trying to improve myself, you know. So, I'd say it has really helped me.
"Training with the other guys now, you see some guys faster than you, so you try to push and try to catch up because you follow the pace of someone even better than you. You have to give 100 per cent."
With a provisional date of 17 June now set for the Premier League's return, Ndidi is confident that Leicester will be ready to return to their domestic campaign - so long as all safety requirements are met.
"I would say we're ready because even during the lockdown, everyone was working at home," he concluded. "So, we're always ready and we'll just see what comes next.
"We're just working hard. Everyone is keeping fit, working hard and the mentality is great, so we'll just see what comes in the coming days."