The radical EFL plans that could reportedly see 'regional hubs' used to conclude Sunderland's season

According to the Evening Standard, the EFL have written to clubs as part of their ongoing attempts to establish the financial implication of staging and playing the remaining fixtures behind closed doors.

Part of the process will be to try and establish whether it is safe and practical to play at all 70 grounds.

It remains the EFL’s goal to conclude the current season on the pitch, providing the government advise to do so.

In a previous correspondence with clubs, chairman Rick Parry said that they believed it was possible to conclude the campaign during the summer months and over a 56-day period.

In a subsequent open letter to supporters, he warned that this would almost certainly be behind closed doors.

It remains the goal to play the fixtures as planned, but according to the report, a contingency plan is being considered that would potentially reduce the strain on emergency services if and when the fixture programme resumes.

It would see venues in London, the South West, the Midlands, North West & North East considered to potentially host multiple games.

As it stands, Sunderland have three games left due to be played at the Stadium of Light.

Any return to action is dependent on the green light from the government, while the adequate testing of players is also a major hurdle to overcome.

In a statement last weekend, the EFL said it was vital any efforts to resume football in a safe environment did not detract in any way from the testing of key workers.

“Clearly, before any return to football can take place, suitable testing arrangements for participants must be in place and this is core to our current planning, as is ensuring there is absolutely no negative impact on the country’s front-line workers, the Emergency services, League and Club staff members,” the statement said.

It has previously advised clubs that it may be possible to resume training on May 16th.