Scotland's clubs have been asked to give a show of hands in a bid to get the Betfred Cup up and running in October.
Record Sport understands the SPFL has written to all 42 clubs - as well as Lowland and Highland League champs Kelty Hearts and Brora Rangers - to discover how many of them want to take part in the first major cup competition of the new campaign.
The first round group stage had originally been scheduled for this month but those plans had to be scrapped during the coronavirus lockdown.
But last week the top flight secured government approval to kick-off as planned on August 1 - and now league bosses want to nail down an October 6 start date for the rejigged cup campaign.
With the lower three tiers hoping to get back to business on October 17 the SPFL want to know which clubs from those divisions will be ready to participate in cup games during the October international break when Scotland face a potential triple-header including a Euro 2020 play-off semi final showdown with Israel.
A number of lower league clubs have expressed huge concern about their ability to survive financially if forced to play behind closed doors.
And, with no way of knowing if any fans will be allowed into grounds for the proposed first round Betfred matches, they will be allowed to opt out of this year’s competition entirely.
