'We are on the agenda to ease the pressure': Nigel Pearson insists Premier League should not return just to help government after Adrian Mariappa and two staff members tested positive for coronavirus

'We are on the agenda to ease the pressure': Nigel Pearson insists Premier League should not return just to help government after Adrian Mariappa and two staff members tested positive for coronavirus - while Troy Deeney sits out on training

Watford manager Nigel Pearson has insisted the Premier League should not return just to help ease the growing pressure on the government.

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden has made it clear that he would back the return of the Premier League and the government are set to approve contact training plans this week.

There is a hope that games could be aired on free-to-air television to help maintain support for the lockdown.

Nigel Pearson has insisted the Premier League should not return just to help the government

The government have made it clear they would back a return amid growing pressure on them

Sportsmail's Sports Agenda column reported last week that Pearson had been vocal in Premier League meetings over his concerns the return of the division could be used as propaganda for the government.