Premier League chief executive Richard Masters believes the resumption of the Bundesliga last weekend should help guide English football’s return amid the ongoing health crisis.

Germany have now played their first round of fixtures since March with specific precautions being put in place, and while England are still a fair way behind in terms of preparations, Masters thinks they will learn a lot from the Bundesliga’s return:

“The Germans are a couple of steps ahead of us obviously and we can learn from them and watch them and take confidence from their success.”

“I think starting the league, watching it being played out and seeing the quality of football and observing the package from behind closed doors, how it was broadcast was really helpful for the Premier League and our other European leagues’ colleagues. That is helpful and it does add confidence that it can be achievable in this country.”

Phase One is now underway, with Premier League players returning to training to work in small groups. A meeting next Tuesday has been scheduled to decide whether Phase Two, a return to full training, will be approved.

Another conference call is then due next Thursday where a vote could be held on when the Premier League season should resume. June 12th has been suggested but that could well be pushed back to June 19 with clubs needing more time to prepare their players after a two-month layoff.