Sunderland chief has these proposals for the EFL and PFA in update on crunch League One talks

Rodwell has also called on the Professional Footballers’ Association to help clubs with the costs of a testing programme that could allow the campaign to finish on the pitch.

The EFL board is meeting on Wednesday and will discuss the fate of the third-tier season, with clubs divided on how to continue.

Rodwell stressed in a firm statement on Wednesday morning on that Sunderland’s position remains a return to action.

“There’s a scheduled EFL board meeting on at the moment and it will be interesting to see the outcome of that and which direction they are taking,” Rodwell said.

“Then there will be a meeting of League One clubs in the next couple of days, and we will take it from there.

“People are screaming for answers and decisions at the moment, but to be honest I just want the correct decision – I don’t think the timing is as important as it is to get it right.

“What I’m hoping for is that get some kind of paper,” he added.

“I want to see, clearly and tangibly, the pros and cons of playing and not playing.

“There are consequences of both, financial and otherwise, and we need that laid out in a concise way, then it is up to clubs to discuss that internally and come up with their position.

“I would have thought we are still a few days away from a vote, but nothing surprises me.”

One of the major hurdles to resuming the season is the financial cost of playng behind closed doors, as well as fierce debate over the costs of a comprehensive testing programme that would allow a safe resumption.

As such, Rodwell believes the PFA could intervene and use some of their reserves to help break the impasse, which he says will benefit its members.

“Finance is the reason clubs do not want to play on,” he said.

“It’s as simple as that.

“So one of the things we have got to do is to try to narrow that finance gap and make that burden less onerous on clubs.

“In the Championship there seems to be an idea gaining traction that the three teams promoted to the Premier League should pay for the testing of the other clubs in the division, so wouldn’t it be a great gesture if the PFA stepped in to pay for the testing in League One?

“The PFA is sitting on cash, these [players] are their members, it’s the right thing to do.

“Players need to play, let’s make no bones about that.

“Their positions are only worsened by not playing football.

“I don’t see how they are in a better position with the season not finishing, and that seems to be going amiss at the moment.”

Rodwell also wants fellow third-tier clubs who have not done so to follow Sunderland’s lead and outline their position to fans and stakeholders.