Premier League and EFL players have been told by their clubs to prepare for a mid-May return to training, with a view to the season resuming before the end of June.
One of the motives is to ensure players remain in the country or return to England by the start of May. There is genuine optimism the season can resume, with a return to action earmarked for the second or third week of June.
Clubs have therefore set a date to restart training a month before that.
The EFL’s plan was outlined in a letter to clubs by chairman Rick Parry.