Daniel Farke: Getting Norwich City players in 'top class' shape could be key to survival

Daniel Farke. Credit: PA

Norwich City Head Coach Daniel Farke has challenged his players to get in the shape of their lives as they prepare to resume the Premier League season later this month.

The Canaries returned to contact training on Tuesday - the first time they've trained together as a group since the season was suspended because of coronavirus in March.

Norwich are currently bottom of the league, six points adrift of safety, but will still have nine games left to save themselves when the season restarts.

Their first game back is likely to be on the weekend of June 19-21 which would give the players just three weeks to get back up to speed.

Speaking to ITV News Anglia Sports Correspondent Donovan Blake, Farke said he wants his players to be in "top class" condition in order to give them the best chance of launching an unlikely survival bid.

  • Watch an interview with Daniel Farke

"We will try to be as fit as possible as a team and adapt to the situation," he said.

"We have to make sure that we are physically perhaps even better-prepared than other clubs, because when we speak about individual quality, perhaps they have some advantages.

"So, we have to make sure that our physical situation is top class once we are allowed to play."

Like all Premier League clubs, Norwich players and staff are currently being tested twice a week, and Farke admits it's not a pleasant experience.

"It's a bit uncomfortable to be honest," said Farke.

"You're not unbelievably scared or nervous, but you're always waiting for the results and of course there are a few doubts in your head.

"It's not nice, like eating a piece of chocolate for example! But, we can't complain - it's something that we have to do to make sure that everything is safe."

  • Watch Norwich City players return to contact training

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