Graham Potter says he is looking forward to seeing fans back at Premier League stadia.

He is not alone in that.

But the group of experts looking to make it happen will have a list of key factors to assess before the stands are re-opened.

Albion deputy chairman Paul Barber is understood to be part of a small working party liaising with the Premier League and Government.

Their intention is to get fans back into grounds next season.

The balancing act is one of trying to get the country back to normal, which includes football fans going to matches, but not at a risk to health.

As with the return to playing, it will happen when safe to do so.

Ideally, that would be for kick-off next season, which is pencilled in for the second weekend of September. In other words, not far away.

Reports suggesting stadia be filled to 40%, or 30%, or 25%, or half their capacity have circulated.

Whether it can be that simple - whether an across-the-board percentage is right for all stadia - is surely doubtful.

Huge amounts of research, debate and detail went into restart with no fans.

Anyone who has seen any of the rules and protocols put in place will know they are formidable.

Those who have been fortunate enough to attend restart fixtures will know how carefully they are controlled.

Now imagine doing the same for a match with even a small crowd.

The factors which will have to be taken into account are numerous.

And that explains why arriving at a percentage figure looks a very delicate process.

Those making the decision will see stadia of different ages, different layouts.

With smaller or bigger seats. Seats which are closer together or further apart.

Stadia which are in city and town centres or away from busy areas.

Stadia with no car parking and others with ample spaces.

(The strong recommendation for those of us who currently attend matches, incidentally, is to drive alone rather than car share or use public transport).

They will look at the use of indoor areas, such as hospitality lounges.

How will fans move around the stadia? What about the concourses?

The bit when spectators are sitting in their seats is the easy part.

It is getting them in and out – and moving around while there – which is more tricky.

So, while, key talks are under way, it is easy to see why the return of fans will not be simple.

There might also be clubs, particularly in lower divisions, for whom it is not financially viable to open the gates.

The question which always arises when talking about reduced attendances is, who gets in?

It is conceivable that, for health reasons, some fans would not want to return or would not be permitted.

Across the Channel, the return of spectators is under way.

A crowd of 5,000 – which is 20% of capacity – were present at Le Havre’s very modern stadium away from the city centre for their friendly against Paris St Germain last Sunday.

Le Havre supporter Olivia Detivelle told The Argus: “We were asked to wear masks around the stadium until we got to our seats.

“There were lots of hand sanitiser dispensers and we were asked to leave at least one seat free between spectators.

“If you came with your children, for example, you could sit next to each other.

“But you had to leave at least one seat between you and other families or groups.

“That was probably the hardest thing to adhere to because people were really pleased to see each other again. I know I was! I wore my mask for the whole game”

Such observations might be of interest over here, although Prem clubs are wary of reading too much into how things have gone in other countries with different circumstances.

What we do know is fans have been missed.

Potter said: “I think we are all looking forward to supporters coming back, that’s what makes it what it is.

“We know why we are in this situation and why we are playing without supporters and we are okay with that because it’s about getting things moving again. But we can’t wait to get our fans back.

“It changes everything of course but, yes, we have to wait until it is the right time and we look forward to that day.”

It remains unclear when that day will come but the wheels are in motion.