Glenn Murray is looking forward to playing in front of an Amex full-house again and turning the return to action as a celebration of the game.
Football is on lockdown until 30th April at the earliest but the Premier League clubs confirmed last week that they would like the 2019/20 season to finish, and Murray hopes that is in front of fans rather than behind closed doors.
He said, “I think first and foremost, as players, we want to finish the league. I watched a couple of games on TV without fans in Italy before the shutdown and it’s not the same.
“When we do start playing again let’s make it a celebratory occasion, the fact that we are all back together. Football without fans is not the same.”
It’s been a week since the Albion players were sent home as the coronavirus pandemic took hold and Murray and his team-mates are now training using an app which allows them to see each other while they work.
“Since Monday we’ve started remote training where we log on via an app and we’re able to train and see each other as well and run through some exercises.
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“More than anything it is good to see the guys [together] and have a bit of banter and a chat to lift each other’s spirits.
At the end of the day people are so bored stuck in the house that they will want to do some exercise and make sure they come back really fit when the Premier League resumes. I’m sure the gaffer will have a few words to say as well, but we’re all in touch – players and managers.”
Keeping in regular touch with each other is important, according to Murray, especially for foreign players away from homes and their loved ones.
“Everyone is fine, it’s easier for English guys because we’re at home in familiar surroundings but it can be more difficult for the foreign guys, especially if they have no family close.
"We go back to a [Premier League] campaign a couple of months ago about mental health and I think at the moment that is so important. To be self-isolating on your own is pretty difficult. Things like Facetime are really important at this time so we can stay in touch."