Neil Warnock reveals Middlesbrough's challenges ahead of Plymouth Argyle and Newcastle United friendlies

The Teessiders are away on a week-long training camp in Cornwall as they gear up for the start of their 2020/21 campaign, which will start on Friday, September 4 against League One side Shrewsbury in the Carabao Cup.

Yet preparations haven't run smoothly due to the club's lack of signings and a shortened pre-season which has been run with a depleted squad.

The club hasn't confirmed which player is self-isolating because of medical confidentiality.

“We had to had a little chat with them about their responsibilities before they went away really and at the moment it's been pretty good," Warnock told TalkSport on Tuesday.

"We've got the odd one isolating because of where they have been on holiday and things like that but overall it's been good, we've only been back a week.

"Pre-season and the friendlies are difficult, having to keep social distancing and not changing in the dressing room.”

Boro will play their first pre-season friendly of the summer when they face Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday afternoon, and have another warm-up match against Newcastle at Rockliffe next week.

Both games will be played behind closed doors due to government guidelines and Warnock says it’s been a strange experience playing matches without any fans

"Today we are under the concourse somewhere to prepare and are getting changed in the hotel,” he added.

"And it's not just about the financial situation and obviously down below everybody has lost a lot of money and it has been life threatening for some clubs in League One and League Two.

"I just think the game needs fans. I've loved the Champions League and I never thought I'd enjoy games behind closed doors as I have done but you realise how much you miss the fans.

"I've missed being booed me. It's not the same when I go into a club and people are giving me high fives.

"It's not the same without all the familiar faces around the ground. It is and has been difficult.

"You do miss the people around the ground on a matchday. When you drive in and see these people you see how much it matters. Football is a lot of people's lives and there is no joy in life at the minute."

Warnock has also had to adapt to the reduced time on the training ground compared to a normal pre-season.

Boro only returned to training at the start of last week, less than four weeks after their last Championship match against Sheffield Wednesday.

"We're a bit behind. I know some of the League One and League Two clubs have been back three or four weeks now so it is just about getting the fitness really not results," said Warnock. "It's just about getting minutes on board.

"We are in Cornwall, I usually like to come here every year if I can. It gives me a week at home.

"We are here until Friday. We fly back to Middlesbrough on Saturday morning.”

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