Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden has confirmed personal talks with the Premier League over resuming top-flight football "as soon as possible".
All elite football in England was initially suspended last month until at least April 3 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
That postponement was later extended through April 30 before becoming an indefinite suspension as the Covid-19 crisis escalated, with leagues and clubs agreeing to come back only when it is safe to do so.
However, tentative first steps towards a resumption have now been taken, with the Government giving Premier League clubs permission to partially reopen their training grounds as they hope to accelerate plans for sport to return.
Arsenal, Brighton and West Ham have all now allowed players to return on a limited and individual basis with strict guidelines in place, while Tottenham will do likewise from Tuesday.
Premier League shareholders are due to meet again on Friday, with clubs preparing to resume competition - almost certainly behind closed doors - from as early as June 8.
"I personally have been in talks with the Premier League with a view to getting football up and running as soon as possible in order to support the whole football community", Mr Dowden said at a parliamentary questions session for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on Monday.
"But, of course, any such moves would have to be consistent with public health guidance."
