Barnsley midfielder Marcel Ritzmaier says has revealed his excitement about a return to training when football eventually does resume, after watching sessions back in his native Austria.

Ritzmaier joined Barnsley from Wolfsberger in his home country back in the January transfer window, and has since returned to Austria during the ongoing suspension of the football season.

While in Austria, Ritzmaier has returned to his former club Wolfsberger - who are already back in training - and it seems the midfielder is encouraged by what he has seen over there.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post about his time back a Wolfsberger, Ritzmaier revealed: “I have been to Wolfsberger’s training ground and it was good to see the players again.

"But it was a strange situation as they are training with a big distance (away) from each other and you can do only so many exercises on the pitch.

“They do a little bit of running and passing with the ball and that is it. It is really strange, but at least they can be on the pitch together, that is the most important thing.

“They are having a lot of tests and that sounds secure and they are ready to start (playing) again and are training to get back used to each other. It sounds good."

That is something that appears to have whetted Ritzmaier's appetite ahead of a return to action, with the midfielder adding: “Of course, if the situation is good, then of course, we will come back and start training for the games.

“We are looking forward to it. Now it is a long time without football and we are hoping that it is going to be soon.

“I was happy to make the move to Barnsley and proud and I know the players and club now and really happy to make the step. I am looking forward to being back and playing games again.”

When the campaign does resume, Ritzamier and his Barnsley teammates will face an uphill battle to avoid relegation from the Championship.

The Tykes are currently bottom of the second-tier table, seven points adrift of safety with nine games of the season still to be played at some point.

The Verdict

This does seem to be somewhat encouraging with regards to football's potential eventual return.

You can certainly understand any concerns that players might have about a return to training anytime soon, given the circumstances in which they would be doing so.

However, the fact that Ritzmaier appears to feel comfortable to return to action at some point, having seen how things are working out in Austria, may be some sort of reassurance for players over here, given they now have an additional insight into just how they might eventually return to action.