EFL clubs have been told not to resume training until May 16 “at the earliest” with the aim of finishing the season in 56 days once football resumes. It would suggest the sport hopes to begin again by June and finish the current campaign in August.

The Championship, League One and League Two clubs have also been advised to tell their players to take their holidays now as there will not be time between the end of this season and the beginning of the next campaign.

In a letter seen by The Telegraph, EFL chairman Rick Parry added that it is still the intention to have the two-legged semi-finals and a final of the play-offs “although no decision has been taken on the likely venue as it will depend on the circumstances at play at the time”. It means the play-offs may not take place at Wembley.

Parry said it was the “working assumption” that the remaining fixtures will be played without fans, adding “we are absolutely mindful of the need to try and mitigate the cost of this to clubs as best we can”.

The letter is the first detailed timescale that has been circulated as to when football can re-start. Parry writes: “As confirmed last Friday [April 3], EFL matches are currently postponed indefinitely as the EFL Board today [Wednesday April 8] determined that, to provide a level of certainty, clubs should be advised not to recommence any training activity with players until May 16 at the earliest.”