Sheff Utd's Wilder would not pressure players into quick return

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder said Thursday that he will not pressure any of his players to return to action if they are wary of health risks when the Premier League gets the green light to resume.

Clubs from England's top flight are due to meet on Monday, a day after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to ease a nationwide lockdown, to discuss their latest plans for 'Project Restart'.

But there are concerns over player welfare if they return to contact sport when social distancing guidelines are still in place.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero admitted last week footballers are "scared", while players and coaches from La Liga side Eibar released a statement on Tuesday expressing their concern at contributing to a second wave of the virus.

"If any individual player took that decision and came to me and said, 'It's not for me,' I'd respect that," Wilder told BeIN Sports.

Germany's Bundesliga is leading the way for Europe's top leagues and will return on May 16 behind closed doors.

The Premier League is hoping for a return next month at the earliest, with clubs standing to lose an estimated ?1 billion ($1.2 billion) in revenue if the campaign cannot be completed, mostly from huge television contracts.

- 'Enormous enthusiasm' -
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"I've obviously had experience of working in all levels of football and I do understand the implications if the Premier League didn't restart -- the effect that that would have down the pyramid as well. We've got to look after all aspects of football."