Dave Challinor gives an insight into how the Hartlepool United squad is keeping fit during extended break

With the country on lockdown, the Hartlepool players are having to train independently and have agreed to take a 20 per-cent pay cut.

The Pools players are using an app on their phones to ensure they are keeping up with their fitness regime.

Challinor explained: “We’re doing it week by week in terms of where we’re at and a week is a long time in football anyway but at the moment a week in life is ridiculously long with how things are moving forward.

“We were due to stay out a little bit longer and last week’s load physically is what it would normally be.

“They were due to come back on Tuesday but we’ve given them the week off.

“They’ve got an app on their phones to do what we ask in terms of runs and exercises and they post it on the group whatsapp to let Hubs monitor and see where we’re at.

“This week we’ve given the players a bit of a down week and that will continue for the next couple of weeks providing things stay the same.

“It’s just about keeping things ticking over and not doing too much or too little because realistically, although there has been official no change in the dates we may end up playing football again, you have to be really reactive and make sure once that happens, and hopefully it’s sooner rather than later, that the lads are in a position physically to do it and not cause themselves any damage more than anything else.”

Several non-playing staff members have been made redundant due to the financial implications of the suspension.

United have played 39 National League games during the 2019-20 campaign which leaves them sitting ninth in the table.

There’s no clear picture as to when football will be able to restart which leaves managers like Challinor unable to prepare effectively and perform the job as normal.