Charlton Athletic have dropped a huge hint as to when the Championship season could recommence in a big boost to Leeds United's promotion hopes.
England's second-tier remains hopeful of returning to action next month, with players returning to training in small groups on Monday.
With nine matches left to be played by each club, there remains a strong desire from the majority of Championship sides to ensure the season is completed on the pitch.
And now it seems Charlton are stepping up their preparations as they believe the Championship season will restart on June 20.
The club is so certain that the season will restart next month, that director of football Steve Gallen has told The Athletic, that Lee Bowyer’s team have already lined up two “pre-season” friendlies to play early next month, including one against a Premier League team.
“Originally, when we spoke to the EFL last week and they gave us directions, they pretty much said, ‘You’ve got three weeks from Monday (May 25) until you play games’,” Gallen said.
“Now that looks like it’s been pushed back another week. It looks like it’s going to be four weeks of training.
“You would normally do five or six weeks in pre-season. Three weeks did seem a little bit too tight, especially with the first week being non-contact.”
“But it looks like it’s going to be four weeks now and I think everyone agrees we can manage alright on four weeks.
“First week: non-contact. Second week: we’ll go back to contact. Third week: you’ll do more tactical stuff.
“And the fourth week: preparing for matches as well as physical training, like you’d normally do during the season.”
Before adding: “That’s what people are talking about. No date has been given to us yet but I believe the Premier League are discussing that (June 20) this week and having a vote on that. We’re planning for June 20.”
