Quoted by Bristol Live, performance coach Andy Rolls has revealed the steps the Bristol City players are taking to stay in shape, and suggested that this season could roll into next season with little turnaround time.

The Robins will surely be one side eager to get the season going again with them challenging for the top six and a play-off place that could lead them to Premier League promotion.

Certainly, that would be a fine achievement for the Robins but, right now, focus is on keeping the players fit and sharp in a period where they're not allowed out of the house.

Indeed, we're deep into the second week of lockdown in this country with at least another to go and Rolls revealed it was the government decision that has led to them having to change tact in keeping the players conditioned.

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He said:

"When the bigger government shutdown came on the Monday evening we obviously had to change things drastically.

"Players had to train on their own. They’re still allowed out so they have been exercising, but on their own. You're not allowed to go out with anyone you don’t live with we know, so we’ve been abiding by that.

"They’ve been doing a little bit more gym based. There are some meetings this week so timings might change and depending on that we’re probably going to go into a period of download.

"We’re expecting the players might not get an inter-season break or an off-season, so we’re thinking that the end of this season might roll into next season."

The Verdict

Rolls and his fellow performance coaches have certainly got their work cut out in trying to keep the players as sharp as possible.

Nothing will replicate playing matches and training nearly every day, so they need to do their level best to ensure the programmes they give to the players are as detailed and productive as possible.

It's an unenviable task but they have the best science and advice available to them to help get through this period and it's intriguing to see that they're planning for a potentially quick turnaround between seasons.

If they can get that right, they could kick off 2020/21 in fine style.