We would respect players that didn’t want to play due to Coronavirus, says Bradley

Sonny Bradley applauds the travelling Luton Town fans
Sonny Bradley applauds the travelling Luton Town fans. Photo by Liam Smith

Luton players have been told to speak up if they have any concerns about returning to action, with matches set to resume on June 20.

Three players at Town’s relegation rivals Charlton have already refused to play, but Town’s stars all reported back for training last week for the first time in almost three months and began contact training yesterday.

Nine people at six Championship clubs, including Preston and Sheffield Wednesday, yesterday tested positive for Covid-19 in the latest round of testing, following ten positive tests last week 

Centre back Bradley said: “I think it’s important that I don’t speak for any individual, as different players at different clubs will have different responsibilities. 

“We’ve been told, if a player turned around at this football club, and said they didn’t feel comfortable about coming into training or playing matches, then I think at this time, then we would have to respect that.

“I know that Paul Watson (general operations manager) and Gary Sweet (chief executive) would speak to those individuals and we have been told if we do feel uncomfortable, to speak up.

“There’s nothing worse at this time than boys feeling uncomfortable, coming in training, thinking they have to play when in the back of their mind, they’re really uncomfortable, so I think we have to respect what individuals want to do and take things from there.”

On all his Hatters team-mate reporting for duty, Bradley said: “I wouldn’t expect anything less from this group of players, if I’m honest,” said skipper Bradley.  

“Players at this football club are not only signed because of their technical ability or their ability to play football, they’re signed because of their characters as well. 

“I know that Gary (Sweet) and Paul (Watson – general operations manager) look at this a lot and in depth, so it doesn’t surprise me to see every member of the squad back.”