Albury Thunder English recruit Joe Sanderson has been left stranded in Albury for at least another month.
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Sanderson was set to fly home last week but the coronavirus crisis has played havoc with flights.
He was originally told the next available flight home was July 2.
However, he's since been informed there's a potential seat on May 4.
"It has been difficult, obviously you're thinking of your family back home," he said.
"I've been talking to them, they're doing fine, obviously they're in lockdown, so they're pretty much trapped."
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But Sanderson, who turned 23 on March 17, says he's certainly not homesick.
"No, I'm fine, obviously gutted about the season, it might not go ahead, I just don't see the point (in staying) here for nothing really," he said.
"There's a few of the English lads over here, they've been really looking after me, doing stuff with the boys.
"There's not much you can do with all the shops and bars closed, the weather's obviously a big help, it's nice to be able to get out."
The Thunder has built a strong rapport with English players in recent years with Brad Hill, Brad Nicholson and Joe Lumb playing in the front-row last season.
There's no talk any of the trio will return home.
That was the main goal to get a full season, but I'd actually love to come back out here, it's been good from week one. I really enjoyed the trial game.
- Joe Sanderson
NSW Rugby League has cancelled all community football, including the Riverina-based Group Nine competition, until at least May 1, but like so many sporting codes there's realistic fears they won't start the season.
The club had signed its first genuine playmaking pair in some years with New Zealander Shan Bradbrook set to join his younger team-mate in the halves.
Despite the disappointment of flying almost 17,000kms for what amounts to nothing, Sanderson said he's already targeting a return, if circumstances allow.
"Yeah, I've been speaking to the club, that was the main goal to get a full season, but I'd actually love to come back out here, it's been good from week one," he said.
"I really enjoyed the trial game.
"I'm not sure where I sit with a visa, I'll look into that."