Stuart Dallas optimistic Leeds United can blast out the blocks on restart

United's promotion push remains halted due to the country's fight against coronavirus which has the EFL season suspended and the country on lockdown until at least May 7.

The EFL, though, have again stated that their priority is to resume the 2019-20 season as soon as it is possible with matches only returning at an appropriate point and based on guidance from the relevant authorities.

The EFL had already stated their desire to fulfil all remaining fixtures in a 56-day time-frame during the summer months on the assumption the games will be closed behind doors.

United's players have been training at home in the current hiatus with the EFL having highlighted May 16 as a possible date for a return to training.

If the season's games are to be completed, United and the rest of their Championship rivals will be resuming action after a sizeable break and in effect mini pre-season with United's last game outing having come in the 2-0 win at home to Huddersfield Town on March 7.

Dallas, though, knows Leeds can be heartened by the way they have started their last two seasons under Bielsa via four wins and a draw from their first five games at the start of both the 2018-19 season and also the current campaign.

"When you look back at how we’ve started the season after a pre-season in the last couple of years, we have started really well and if we can start back as well as that, we will be in a good position," Dallas told Leeds United's website.

“We’re just trying to keep on top of everything and staying as fit as we can, so when we do return to training, it will be all ball work then.

"We’re running every day, the club have been good with us and they’ve given us a programme to do.

“The programmes we are on are keeping us in good shape and then it is up to ourselves to be professional.

“We know what we are, we know what we have ahead of us and we know what we want to achieve.

“Individually we have to be in the best possible shape that we can and it all comes down to how much we really want it and if we do, we have to take responsibility ourselves.

“Being away from the training ground and going from being with the boys everyday to not seeing them, that in itself is a challenge.

“We haven’t kicked a ball now for a number of weeks, so it is strange, but we’re not the only ones in this position."

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