CEO of Portsmouth rival fears season is over and wants points-per-game to decide league placings - bad news for Blues

Dave Boddy told BBC Radio Five Live that players would likely have to be back training by the middle of next week if the season is to be finished before July 31.

That was the date EFL Chairman Rick Parry declared as the deadline in his appearance before the Digital, Cultural, Media and Sport committee on Tuesday due to the vast number of player contracts expiring a month previous.

The EFL have previously told clubs they believe it will take 56 days to finish the campaign – although Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin believes the season could be wrapped up in as little as 40 days.

And while government minister Dominic Raab suggested on Tuesday they will support the return of football behind closed doors, the hurdles are far bigger for the EFL than the Premier League and the realities of the testing programme that would be required has left many, including Catlin, dubious as to whether it is really feasible.

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Parry said a decision is needed ‘within days’ and also warned that clubs in the EFL cannot take the approach of the Premier League, who are set to resume training before later making a decision on playing competitive games.

He warned that the financial implications of unfurloughing staff and players for the clubs makes that unrealistic.

Boddy told Five Live: ‘We've always supported the premise of finishing the season for sporting integrity but as every day goes by, I think it's fair to say that it's looking unlikely.

‘I would believe the middle of next week is the sort of tipping point really.

‘A lot will depend on Boris Johnson's announcement on Sunday, on the lockdown and what we can and can't do.

‘One of the main problems we have is that when the players do come back to training, testing is going to be key.

‘We believe that to effectively test players, we'll need to do it every day on arrival at the training ground.

‘Unless we can put that in place, I don't think it can happen.’

If the season is not concluded on the pitch, Boddy believes the EFL should follow the example of Scotland and France and introducie an average points-per-game model to settle the final table and issues of promotion and relegation.

READ ALSO: This is where Pompey will finish in League One - IF 2019-20 is decided on points per game

‘It's frustrating for everybody, we're all in the same boat,’ added Boddy.

‘We believe that the situation should be dealt with the same as other countries have done, in France they have produced tables on average PPG.

‘Scotland have done something similar.

‘We've got some fairly clear cut positions in this country – Liverpool are almost there in the Premier League, Leeds and West Brom are well clear in the Championship.

‘It's for the board and the member clubs to decide ultimately, but we believe that would be the fairest route.’

Parry would not be drawn on the matter of settling tables on Tuesday, but did say he expects three teams to be promoted from the Championship.

It is unclear whether that also applies to League One, and how the third spot would be settled if it does.

Pompey currently sit fourth in the table, with Coventry top.