MK Dons chairman sets out his stance on the vote that will settle Sunderland's season

With third-tier clubs still divided on what to do next, the fate of the campaign almost certainly rests with a small handful of mid-table clubs who have little to play for in the remaining games.

Clubs have until tomorrow afternoon to submit alternative proposals to the current framework that will be voted on next week.

If passed, that would see the table settled on a points-per-game formula in the event of a curtailment, which would in turn then require the support of 12 clubs.

Tranmere Rovers, who will be relegated on PPG, are set to submit their own proposal that would see Sunderland take part in an extended play-off campaign.

The EFL will then decide whether to amend their framework, with clubs then given five days to consider the proposal before a vote.

It is expected that a narrow majority will favour curtailment, though Blackpool, Lincoln City and Doncaster Rovers have not made their intentions clear.

“I understand all the arguments which is why I want to do what the majority of the clubs want to do,” Winkelman told talkSPORT.

“We are professional football clubs and our duty is to play football if we can, but we're in extraordinary times – the costs and the fact we can’t play in front of supporters does change that dramatically.

“There isn’t a one-size-fits-all, I think that’s become quite clear. Every club has to vote for their vested interest. The supporters of those clubs would be disappointed if they didn’t do that.

“I know it will be so important for some clubs for us to continue playing. Equally, it will come at great cost. Whether we play or not, it won’t be in front of crowds and therefore season ticket holders, who will have missed four of their games, will have to be compensated.

“We haven’t got anything, particularly, that’s motivating us in either direction.

“For us, it would certainly be cheaper not to play but, at the same time, if the majority of clubs wanted to do that, we would definitely play on.

“Wherever we believe that majority will come, is the way that we will vote.”

League Two clubs have already indicated their strong preference for a curtailment, while the Championship has taken a significant step towards a resumption.

Teams are expected to shortly begin full-contact training, while the EFL have set a provisional date of June 20th for a resumption.

Having initially stated that 56 days would likely be required to fulfill fixtures, they are now planning to complete the campaign in around 40.

As such, discussions are being held on rule changes such as allowing five substitutes in a game, as well as increasing the size of matchday squads to 20.

Given that EFL chairman Rick Parry has previously stated that the seaosn must be completed by July 31st, it is not clear how League One could complete its fixtures even if clubs vote to resume next week.