East Fife will learn return fate this week

East Fife's players are all smiles after hitting the net, and are hopeful they can take to the field again in March. Pic by Kenny Mackay

On the back of the joint effort by League One and Two clubs to convince the SFA they could safely resume training and matches again, the game’s governing body is will make a formal announcement on Wednesday.

Reports over the weekend suggested that tier three and four clubs will be given the thumbs up to start again, bringing to an end a hiatus which has been in place since January.

However, given the ever evolving nature of Covid-19 and the restrictions in place to help limit its spread, there is still time for any decision to change.

East Fife manager Darren Young says he remains hopeful of seeing his players again next week, but adds there are still questions to be answered on how part-time teams can be expected to play two games a week, find appropriate training facilities and also test.

“The talk is that the games will be back in March and the training will hopefully start next week,” said Young.

"But I’m still not sure because there’s the chat of having to do the whole testing thing now.

"Obviously we’ll do whatever it takes to get back but, it’s the same as the last time, how are they going to go about doing this or justifying it?

"If we have two games a week then fair enough, but when are we going to fit all this in?

"Training will have to depend on what facilities we’re allowed to use, but everybody is in the same boat.

"Worst case scenario is that we’ll train at the stadium and if not we’ll be at the Oriam.

"But there are other teams there, Cowdenbeath and Edinburgh City train there as well.”

Should Young indeed welcome his side back for training next Tuesday, following the lifting of the ban on Sunday evening, he expects them to be in shape.

"If guys have been looking after themselves fitness-wise then two weeks training will be ok,” he said.

"We explained that to them before the break and gave themselves stuff to do to keep them ticking over.”

If the clubs are allowed to resume, East Fife’s first game back is likely to be played on Tuesday, March 2.