Lee Johnson's potential solutions to the schedule challenges facing Sunderland & the EFL

Sunderland return to action on Saturday after postponing four games due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the club, but will then face another ten-day absence after an outbreak at Fleetwood Town forced next weekend's game to be postponed.

The Black Cats have explored the possibility of bringing fixtures forward as a result, but that is a complicated process as it relies entirely on clubs agreeing to a change.

Johnson feels a more direct approach from the EFL may be needed on that front, or a short extension to the campaign to alleviate the pressure.

The Black Cats boss expects the fixture schedule to be disrupted further next week when players and staff across the EFL undergo a round of mandatory testing.

"Naturally you have some concerns about the schedule," Johnson said.

"We want to try and progress in the Papa John's as well so if that was to go well, we could have 32 games minimum to finish the season.

"Someone is going to have to comeup with some sort of algorithm to get the fixtures in, or of course they might have to extend the season, which is an option open to the EFL.

"There might need to be a bit of a governing system [in moving fixtures] as clubs don't have an outbreak.

"If you want to maintain the current finish date, I think that's something that will have to happen.

"Given the fact that next week is mandatory testing, as well, and a lot of asymptomatic cases could be found. Those players are then obviously going to be out for ten days.

"You can potentially have a ten day window when football is largely closed off anyway just because of the way this round of testing could evolve."

Extending the season could also prevent sides fielding vastly understrength sides because of the demands of the schedule.

"You'll have players out of contract, as well," Johnson said.

"That does happen every year but it does seem this year to be very different.

"We've got to find a solution, obviously a successful vaccination programme is a great solution, whether that's March, June or next year."

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