JOSH Ruffels says the ability to still go out and exercise is a release for Oxford United’s players.

Yesterday health secretary Matt Hancock warned it could be taken away as one of the limited reasons why people could leave the house.

It came after reports of gatherings in parks and beaches over the sunny weekend, flouting the rules put in place as part of the lockdown to combat coronavirus.

While the U’s players have scaled back their physical work for the time being, they still get out on their own each day to stretch their legs.

And Ruffels, speaking before the weekend, admitted losing that would make things tougher.

“It would be a massive blow,” he said.

“That’s the release for all the lads at the moment, just going for a run.

“Even beforehand me and the likes of Fordey (Anthony Forde) and James Henry would play golf, but that’s stopped now.

“We’re limited to just going out for runs, but if that got taken away as well we’d be really struggling.

“We’re thankful we can get out and keep our fitness up.”

Ruffels is spending time away from exercising cleaning the house and staying busy to pass the time.

And the 26-year-old has found it helpful to avoid absorbing too much of the coverage.

He said: “I think there’s a point in the day when you have a little look at what’s going on.

“I don’t like to watch it too much, because every channel is talking about it.

“You can start getting a bit frustrated and worried about it.

“I think I’ve found a good balance between keeping updated and getting on with my normal life.”

Any frustration about the lack of freedom is quickly tempered for the left back from Kidlington.

His mother, Diana, has worked at the Churchill and John Radcliffe hospitals in Oxford for almost four decades.

“She’s incredible,” Ruffels said.

“She’s in social services at the moment but has done other jobs in the NHS previously.

“Like everyone else working in that environment it’s been tough but she’s got through it.

“It’s a reality check when your mum has to go into work like that.

“We’re very lucky we just have to stay at home and be bored in that sense.”