Five substitute rule should be introduced at 'non-elite' level, says Fareham Town boss Pete Stiles

The Fareham Town boss insists being granted permission to use two additional changes in matches would be 'brilliant' for teams at step three level and below.

Some 'non-elite' clubs in England are now returning to action following the month-long suspension because of the nationwide lockdown.

That could result in players in the lower levels of the non-league pyramid being asked to play two or three times a week having been unable to train for four weeks last month.

Stiles fears this could cause an increase in injuries with an added burden placed on squads after a sustained period without football.

The five substitute ruling was passed to be introduced for the remainder of the season in November.

And Stiles wants to see 'non-elite' clubs to be allowed to follow suit.

‘I think a bit of common sense would have been allowing you to use an extra sub because I used all three with half-an-hour to go (against Roman Glass St George in the FA Vase),' Stiles said.

‘I think there was talk about having five subs, which would be a brilliant idea, especially at the moment where people have not had time to prepare.

‘But I suppose we’ve just got to get on with it.

‘If it’s good enough for them (the EFL) and they train everyday surely it’s got to be better for a club where most of the people go to work all day.

‘A professional club is going to be far better prepared then what we are.‘You want to get your subs on and give them some decent time. It’s no good bringing them on for 10 minutes.

‘You want to get them on with half-hour to go but then you’ve used all of your subs.’