Danny Rose says Premier League players' 'backs are against the wall' in pay-cut talks over coronavirus impact

Newcastle United's on-loan defender says players are 'all keen to make something happen' with regards to helping fight against Covid-19

Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - January 11, 2020 Tottenham Hotspur's Danny Rose during the warm up before the match REUTShow more

Newcastle United defender Danny Rose has described how Premier League players feel like their "backs are against the wall" over discussions about pay cuts.

After a meeting of clubs on Friday, the English top-flight proposed a 30 per cut in wages in order to "protect employment throughout the professional game".

It said it would consult with players, unions and clubs over the plan as it also revealed that matches would not be resuming in May.

Footballers have found themselves on the receiving end of criticism from some quarters for what is perceived as their slow response to the financial impact of the Covid-19 crisis.

But Rose, who is loan at the Tyneside club from Tottenham Hotspur, feels some of the pressure being put on players has been unfair.

On Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that Premier League players “should take a pay cut and play their part”  when he was asked about the furore.

Chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee Julian Knight also wrote to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters calling for action on player wages.

"We're all keen to make something happen," Rose said to BBC Radio 5 Live on Saturday.

"I can only speak for myself but I would have no problems whatsoever contributing any of my wages to people who are fighting this on the front line and to people who have been affected by what's happening at the minute.

"We sort of feel that our backs are against the wall. Conversations were being had before people outside of football were commenting.

"It was just not needed for people who are not involved in football to tell footballers what they should do with their money. I found that so bizarre."

The Premier League has agreed to use the wage cuts to advance £125 million (Dh563m) to the EFL and National League, and give £20m towards Britain's National Health Service.

Liverpool and England midfielder Jordan Henderson had already been trying to organise Premier League captains into making a contribution to the NHS.

"I've been on the phone to Jordan Henderson and he's working so hard to come up with something," said Rose.