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Manchester City have offered the NHS free use of the Etihad Stadium during the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

The Blues have given the National Health Service the opportunity to use the stadium for whatever may be required and it is understood that some training for nurses could take place there next week.

City are one of a number of football clubs trying to help in the fight against COVID-19, which as of yesterday had claimed 1,019 lives in the United Kingdom.

With the Premier League suspended until at least April 30 City have no games scheduled for the foreseeable future which has led them to offer the use of the Etihad Stadium to the NHS.

A number of City players have also done their bit in the fight against the pandemic, with Ilkay Gundogan the latest to make a donation.

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The midfielder has contributed funds to the battle against the virus in his home region of Heinsberg as well as helping to set up a shopping service for people who can't get out of their homes to buy groceries at the moment.

Funds are also being used to create thank you packages for the nursing staff in the intensive care units in Heinsberg.

Gundogan has teamed up with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM), Heinsberg County, the amateur club SVG Birgden-Langbroich-Schierwaldenrath and a local supermarket in Birgden.

“In Manchester, I followed the news of the situation in Germany closely. I was struck with the pictures from the particularly badly affected district of Heinsberg," said Gundogan.

"That is why I wanted to start a relief action exactly where the need is greatest. Thank you to the football club SVG Birgden-Langbroich-Schierwaldenrath which are supporting me with all the deliveries and can hand them over on my behalf.

"We footballers - whether amateur or professional - must show this solidarity and together support those people who urgently need our help”