Charlton boss Bowyer: ‘I can’t see season being finished – there are too many hurdles’

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer is sceptical about football returning in mid-June because of the hurdles which have to be overcome.

The Addicks manager believes the authorities must be cautious with the health of players – and their families.

He said: “The suggested timetable is optimistic – and I can’t see it happening.

“I don’t think much will have improved in three weeks’ time. We are anxious about players – but about all our staff.

“Some clubs’ players might refuse to come back – and I would not blame them.

“They were worried at the beginning of this and nothing has changed – in fact they have got a hell of a lot worse.

“The most important thing is everyone’s safety. The virus would have to be well under control before we put people back into an environment where they are competing every day and playing matches. That will take time.”

Bowyer has his players on a slow schedule at the moment, because it is two weeks at least before they would be back at the Addicks’ Sparrows Lane training ground.

“We could not keep pushing them hard for weeks and weeks without an end product,” he said.

“They did well in the first three weeks and we have come off a bit since then. We will step up again as we head towards the middle of May.

“But France, Holland, Belgium and Spain have cancelled their seasons. I can’t see ours going ahead.”