Could Rotherham United, Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers be asked to decide on abandonment next week?

Football League chairman Rick Parry told a House of Commons select committee a decision was needed “within days” over whether the 2019-20 season could be completed.

Due to issues around players' contracts, Parry named July 31 as the last possible day to fit in matches which, if the League were to stick to their plans to play the remaining games – including play-offs – in 56 days would necessitate a June 5 start. After more than six weeks in lockdown, players need the chance to get their football fitness up to the required level – most within the game appear to be leaning towards two to three weeks – and in some cases, get players and coaches back into the country, with transport minister Grant Shapps "actively looking" at 14-day quarantines for those arriving from overseas.

For the Premier League, the need to avoid failing to deliver on their broadcasting contracts means they are more likely to seek creative means to play their matches, but for clubs in League One and Two, the biggest damage is coming from a lack of matchday revenue. Even if matches due resume in the summer, they will be played behind closed doors.

So while the Premier League and Championship clubs may not give up on their season next week, the divisions below could.

League Two Bradford City have already released four players – three loanees and Dylan Mottley-Henry, whose contract expired on April 30 – because of the uncertainty. The Bantams and League One Doncaster Rovers have players on furlough, whereby Government pay 80 per cent of their wages, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month. They are voluntarily topping up the rest, but would have to meet the bill in full before they could be allowed to play again.

There are reports that clubs will be told in tomorrow's conference call between Football League clubs that those in Leagues One and Two will be asked to vote next week, with a 75 per cent majority needed.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to use Sunday's Downing Street briefing to outline his thoughts on an easing of the lockdown, which should inform the debates at all levels about continuing. He told Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday he hoped to "get going on some of these measures (to ease restrictions) on Monday".

Should the season be abandoned, there will then have to be a decision as to whether promotion should be allowed, and if so, how it is decided. Parry was forceful in his view to the select committee that promotion from the Football League to the Premier League should still happen, but did not pass comment on movement within the division, or into the National League, who are believed to be waiting on them before reaching their own divisions.

Harrogate Town are second in the Conference, where two are due to be promoted, one automatically, the other via play-offs.

Rotherham United are in League One's second automatic promotion spot, and if they were to go up, bottom-of-the-Championship Barnsley would be in danger of going the other way unless they were able to play their way out of danger.

Reds coach Gerhard Struber told The Yorkshire Post there should only be promotion and relegation if leagues are completed.

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