Nigel Adkins: Physical distancing still key for my Charlton squad – we don’t want training environment to be compromised

Nigel Adkins has reminded his Charlton Athletic players to keep abiding by social distancing rules despite the national lockdown easing a little at the start of this week.

And the Addicks boss has flagged up that any positive Covid-19 cases could have a detrimental effect on the squad as they head into the crunch stage of their League One campaign.

“We’ve still got to be very mindful that we don’t become too complacent and too relaxed,” he said. “I had a chat actually with the players on Monday morning about it, just to remind them all of our responsibilities – wearing a mask, hands, face and space.

“I hate the word social distancing – the word physical distance works better for me, because you understand that. We are social animals and want to interact. We don’t want to be isolated but we do still need to be mindful of the physical distancing at this moment in time.

“Restrictions have been lifted and people will become complacent now because pubs, hairdressers, gyms [are all open] and the things that come with that. But we still have to do the basics well to an elite level. Because what will happen, if we’re not careful, is we will get a big spike. It’s great the vaccinations we’ve all got, but we need to keep doing the basics well to an elite level, whether that is with covid or football.

“We get tested two or three times a week, the last thing we want to do is become too relaxed where all of a sudden we’re losing a player or the whole team and training environment becomes compromised because someone has gone down with covid. We’ve still got to be on top of the game.

“We want to get out of this situation, so be mindful where we are and do the basics well. I’m not a politician – but do the basics well. It’s an important message for all of us.”