Stuart Dallas: Individually we have to be at our best

Stuart Dallas: Individually we have to be at our best

Full-back on current situation.

Leeds United full-back Stuart Dallas spoke to the media about what impact the current situation is having on himself as a player.

With training at Thorp Arch suspended, Dallas revealed how the players are individually keeping fit, in preparation for when football may return.

He spoke about what his day-to-day life has been like over recent weeks, since the government lockdown was implemented.

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

“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.

“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.

“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.”

Dallas also spoke about potentially being named Leeds United’s 2019/20 Player of the Year, after being tipped to win the award by Patrick Bamford.

He said: “It’s obviously massive to be thought of like that from your fellow professionals, it’s great.

“There are a number of players who could win that, everybody throughout the season has been unbelievable, I couldn’t single anyone out, everyone has all played our part.

“We are not there yet though, we still have a long way to go, but we’re on course and they can give it to the kit man if they want, as long as we get promoted, it doesn’t matter.”

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