Preston North End’s Irish international striker Sean Maguire is looking forward to getting back into training with the rest of the squad.
The Lilywhites’ No.24 had an extended chat with iFollow PNE, from his home, to discuss everything from his new found enjoyment of reading, to the side’s promotion challenge and much more.
The forward, who turned 26 during lockdown, admits he is excited to get back into Springfields, after experiencing what he imagines retirement will feel like at the end of his career!
“You can see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of getting back to training in some sort of way,” he said in the near 25-minute chat with the club’s online video channel.
“Lockdown has been okay for me; what has really helped has been getting into a routine, whether that’s taking it day by day or planning the week ahead - going out for your run in the morning and I have been lucky enough to convert my garage into my own gym, so it has been decent.
“We have missed everyone back at home and it makes you realise how much you miss them when you are away from them for so long, but we have Facetimed every day.
“In terms of football, I am just really looking forward to getting back, because this is probably a little taste of what retirement feels like and I am going to try my best to play as long as I can in my career and I am really looking forward to getting back under whatever guidelines the EFL and the government give us. I just want to be back kicking a football again.”
Sean has been in regular contact with the coaching staff and the rest of the squad, but seeing his second family in person is something he is ready for.
“There has been regular contact on Zoom and the gaffer has come in every week and had a chat with us for 15 or 20 minutes,” continued the former Cork City man.
“We also have a WhatsApp group where we have been in regular contact every day. I have spoken to most of the boys – I only live two minutes from Browney, but I might as well have been two hours away, as I haven’t seen him – so I am looking forward to seeing everyone.
“We are one big family and in normal times I see them more than anyone else, so I am looking forward to getting back and seeing them all.”
Many players have taken up new hobbies and skills over recent weeks, with Ben Davies already revealing he has been learning sign language and Paul Gallagher showing off his darting prowess in the weekend’s PDC at home challenge and Seani is no different.
“People deal with these scenarios in different manners. There are lots of people getting into different hobbies.
“I have tried to do more reading; I haven’t read that many books since school, but I have started to read a little bit more.
“I have also started to step up my yoga game, as I am not getting any younger, so there is a little bit to be gained from this lockdown,” he added.
To watch the full near 25-minute chat with Sean then just click on the video at the top of the page and you can watch Sean discuss the remaining games, the squad’s aims for the restart and his tribute to the NHS and the key workers.