CHERRIES goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale revealed it had been “pretty tough” to completely shut down from playing football amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

The goalkeeper and his team-mates were sent home from training earlier this month ahead of what would have been a crucial top-flight home battle against Crystal Palace at Vitality Stadium.

With all English football suspended until at least April 30, Ramsdale and the rest of Cherries’ squad are currently training at home.

And the former Sheffield United stopper revealed he had struggled to adapt to not being able to take to the field.

He told Sky Sports: “It’s not been easy to be honest. It’s been a bit of a struggle trying to adapt to not going to football every morning.

“It’s not the same as the off-season, where you have plans and holidays and things.

“You are literally just waking up and sitting around the house.

“Trying to keep yourself busy and as a 21-year-old, there is only so much you can do in a house where you’re not very good at DIY – or everything is already done for you.

“It’s been pretty tough.”

Ramsdale has enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Premier League this campaign, playing 28 times and pulling off a remarkable 102 saves.

Cherries are currently 18th in the top flight, inside the drop zone along with Aston Villa and Norwich.

The goalkeeper believes the campaign must be played to a finish “no matter how long it takes”.

“We haven’t worked this hard just to play this many games to be cruelly sent down,” said the former Sheffield United youngster.

“I think it would be even harsher on Aston Villa who - if they didn’t do so well getting to the Carabao Cup final - if they played their game in hand and won, they wouldn’t even be in the bottom three.

“I think that’s probably the worst scenario for us and other teams as well.

“The best thing for it is just for us to finally get something in the diary to drive towards and finish the season, no matter how long it takes.

“Then we just have to try to squeeze everything in with a later date for the upcoming season.”

Speaking about potentially playing games without supporters, the keeper added: “The fans are a massive driving force and it would be a massive miss if we were to play someone at home and we were missing that backing, because we were playing behind closed doors.

“I think if we can wait maybe an extra two weeks and get the fans back then that’s what I’m wanting to do.

“But, to be honest, I just want to get back to playing football.”