WHEN the government gave top competitive sport the green light to start again following a three-month hiatus due to coronavirus, Sheffield United's Isle of Wight-born goalkeeper Simon Moore said he is ready to hit the ground running when Premier League action resumes behind closed doors.
It will have been 100 days since the Premier League was suspended when the Blades face Aston Villa on Wednesday, June 17.
Simon, 30, the number two to England international and friend, Dean Henderson, had been working hard in lockdown at his Blackpool for several weeks before top flight clubs returned to 'phase two' contact training on Monday.
Speaking to the Isle of Wight County Press this morning, Simon said: "I'm really glad to be back in full training. All the tests have been done and it is very encouraging to know there have been very few cases of coronavirus among the Premier League clubs.
"There has been a great feeling of positivity among the lads about getting back to action. It's good to be back. We're all really excited.
"Everyone feels safe, which gives us peace of mind. There will be strict measures at the training ground going forward.
"When we restart, we'll be ready. We've all worked really hard and the lads are sharp, so full credit to the training staff for what they've done in the interim.
"Of course, being number two to Deano is a slightly different situation for me and game time has been limited, so having the right mindset is very important and I'm ready for any opportunity to play."
Simon may get his chance sooner than he thinks.
With Manchester United on a quest to sign Borussia Dortmund sensation, Jadon Sancho, and with Henderson's two-year loan spell with Sheffield United coming to an end when the season is over, Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is believed to be considering using the keeper as part of a swap deal to bring the young striker to Old Trafford.
This would open the door to a possible return to the first team for Simon who has had to remain patient while Henderson continues his superb form for the Blades, which has earned him an England call up.
Simon added: "If Deano stays at the club, it will give everyone a massive boost. We get on really well and I'm always there for him if he needs any advice, as I'm a bit more experienced than he is.
"Deano is great to work with and is a great guy. I don't know what will happen with him, but if the chance comes to play, I'll be ready to step in.
"Once the season's over, I'm looking forward to return to the Isle of Wight. I haven't seen the family in a long time and there's no better place to come back to."
The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden, said he was delighted to see competitive sport come back at last.
"The wait is over. Live British sport will shortly be back on in safe and carefully controlled environments," he said during yesterday's (Saturday) daily government coronavirus briefing.
"This guidance provides the safe framework for sports to resume competitions behind closed doors.
"It is now up to individual sports to confirm they can meet these protocols and decide when it's right for them to restart."
"Football, tennis, horse racing, Formula 1, cricket, golf, rugby, snooker and others are all set to return to our screens shortly."
It follows an update last Monday, which gave permission for 'close-contact and competitive' training to resume for all sports.
Teams from the Championship, League One and League Two will decide whether to change regulations to allow the season to end on June 8, which could have a huge effect on the season for Isle of Wight player, Dan Butler, of Peterborough United, in the mix for promotion to the Championship.
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