Glenn Murray says these are ‘very strange times’ as he and the rest of the Albion squad prepare for a long period without any games.
Group training for Graham Potter’s squad ended on Monday and the players will meet again once the outcome of Thursday’s meeting of Premier League clubs to discuss the effects of the coronavirus outbreak is known.
Murray has sympathy for his team-mates who are from overseas and unable to go to see family back home, with a travel ban effectively in place.
He said, “These are obviously very strange times. Group training has ended for the time being so that’s a huge change for us but we’re meeting again at the end of the week and we’ll make decisions then for the near future.
“Everyone is in a different situation. I’m one of the lucky ones because I am in my own country, but we obviously have a lot of overseas-based players in our squad that are away from home at a strange time. I try and put myself in their shoes. I know I wouldn’t like to be in another country at a time like this when I couldn’t leave and didn’t have my friends and family around me.”
The squad have been asked to try and keep in shape at home, but that can be ‘a little bit off the cuff’ according to Murray.
“We are spoiled at the training ground because the facilities are amazing and it's a fantastic environment so it’s back to basics at the moment,” he added.
“I have a bike so I can get a sweat on or go for a run on the road or some grass near my home along with body weight exercises.”
Having played for Carlisle and Rochdale earlier in his career, Murray is aware how the current crisis could impact on smaller clubs and believes there is an onus on the Premier League to provide assistance. Closer to home, Albion’s decision to pay matchday staff did not come as a surprise to him.
“This is my worry for this ongoing scenario, and we don’t know how long it could be. For clubs in Leagues One and Two, the National League and even some in the Championship it could be really difficult to get through.
“They live week to week and gate receipts are a big income for them, and then there is the local infrastructure around stadiums – shops, pubs etc. – who rely on matchday revenue. It could be really tough. Hopefully the Premier League can help them financially so they can get up and running when football resumes.
“I thought the gesture by the club to continue paying matchday staff was a fantastic gesture and no shock at all to me, I expected Brighton to do that. That’s the type of club we are.”